Question 1
Glass
I wonder who first discovered glass. This commodity has been a part of civilization from the very beginning. Imagine a world without glass! How dark and dismal it would be. No windows, corrective lenses, telescopes, microscopes, cameras, sparkly drinking containers or mirrors. Life would not be the same without this wonderful discovery. Thank you, whoever found glass!
Glass is not an element, but a combination of several elements. It is a hard, brittle, transparent solid material composed mainly of silica, with additives to change the character of the glass. Common additives are soda, lime, lead, and boron. Each additive changes the properties of the final product. Soda and lime are the most common additives, accounting for about 90% of glass production. Adding lead increases reflectivity, causing the glass to "sparkle." The addition of boron changes the thermal and electrical properties of glass, allowing cookware that can be used in the oven without shattering.
What conclusion can be drawn from the information included in the article?
Rationale
The article discusses the various uses and properties of glass, highlighting its significance in everyday life. It mentions that glass is a versatile material with different additives that change its properties, allowing for diverse applications such as windows, lenses, telescopes, and cookware. The article does not suggest that glass usage is decreasing or that it is too brittle for new applications. Therefore, the most appropriate conclusion from the information provided is that new uses for glass are constantly being discovered, as its properties and versatility continue to be explored.
