Glass is made of two materials: sand and lime. When these materials are combined and heated, they form a viscous liquid that can be molded into different shapes. The glass is then cooled slowly to form a solid. If it is cooled too quickly, the molecules will not have enough time to settle into their final positions and will be left in an unstable state.
Why Temperature Changes Break Glass
The most common type of glass is soda-lime glass, which is made up of about 75% silica (sand), 15% sodium oxide, and 9% calcium oxide (limestone). Soda-lime glass is used for a variety of applications, including windows, bottles, and eyeglasses.
Glass is a poor conductor of heat, so it doesn’t expand or contract very much when exposed to changes in temperature. However, the molecules in glass are constantly moving and vibrating. When the temperature of the glass is increased, the molecules gain kinetic energy and vibrate more rapidly.
If the temperature is increased too quickly, the glass will break because the molecules will vibrate so violently that they will break the bonds that hold them together. The same thing can happen if the temperature is decreased too quickly. The sudden change in temperature causes the molecules to contract, which puts stress on the glass and can cause it to crack.
Most glass is designed to withstand small changes in temperature without breaking. However, extreme changes in temperature can still cause the glass to break. That’s why you should never pour boiling water into a glass container or put a hot pan directly on a glass table.
How To Use Glass Safely
If you do want to use boiling water in a glass container, it’s best to first fill the container with cold water and then slowly heat it up. This will give the glass time to adjust to the change in temperature and will prevent it from cracking.
In general, it’s best to avoid sudden changes in temperature when using glassware. If you do need to use hot or cold water, pour it slowly so that the glass has time to adjust.