Final answer:
Pyrex® glass is less likely to break from thermal stress because it has a low coefficient of linear expansion, which means it expands and contracts less with temperature changes, reducing susceptibility to thermal shock.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pyrex®, a type of glassware used for cooking, is less susceptible to thermal stresses caused by uneven cooling due to its low coefficient of linear expansion. This means that Pyrex glass expands and contracts less than other types of glass when exposed to temperature changes. When traditional glass cookware is subjected to rapid temperature shifts, the uneven expansion or contraction can lead to strains within the material, causing it to crack or break. However, Pyrex glass has a unique composition, including borosilicate, which greatly reduces its tendency to expand or contract with temperature changes and makes it more resistant to thermal shock. Therefore, when cold water is poured into a hot Pyrex dish, the risk of it breaking is much lower than it would be with regular glass.