What should glassware be inspected for before use?

• A. Dents
• B. Contamination
• C. Rust
• D. Cracks, chips, and defects

Answer: (D)

Inspecting glassware for structural damage before use is essential because cracks and chips create weak points that can fail during heating or under pressure, leading to sudden breakage, glass fragments, injuries, or sample contamination. Defects such as scratches or inclusions can indicate compromised strength and may harbor hidden cracks that worsen with use. Dents are not typical issues with glass, and rust applies to metal, not glass, while contamination concerns cleanliness rather than a physical flaw. So, focusing on cracks, chips, and defects best protects both safety and experimental results.