Question

Briefly explain why it is important to use crucible tongs when you transfer the heated crucible.

a) To avoid burns and ensure safety.
b) To measure the temperature accurately.
c) To clean the crucible properly.
d) To speed up the heating process.

Answer 1

Crucible tongs are essential for safely transferring a heated crucible to avoid burns, as the crucible is too hot to handle directly.

Step-by-step explanation:

It is important to use crucible tongs when you transfer the heated crucible to avoid burns and ensure safety (a). A crucible can reach high temperatures during an experiment, and direct contact with the skin could lead to severe injuries.

Using crucible tongs provides the necessary distance and insulation to handle the crucible safely, without risking burns. While the correct use of equipment is vital in any laboratory setting, it's not for measuring the temperature accurately, cleaning the crucible, or speeding up the heating process, as options b), c), and d) suggest.