Question

When is it preferable to use a plastic volumetric flask instead of a glass flask?

Short answer

Glass flasks have the potential to absorb tiny quantities of analyte.

Step-by-step solution

Meaning of polypropylene

Polypropylene, commonly known as polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer with a wide range of uses. It is made from the monomer propylene through chain-growth polymerization. Polypropylene is a non-polar, partly crystalline polyolefin that belongs to the polyolefin family.

Explanation

It is preferable to use a plastic volumetric flask instead of a glass flask because, in glass flasks, analytes are present in trace concentrations. So, polypropylene plastic volumetric flasks are preferable over glass flasks for performing trace analysis. Glass flasks may absorb trace amounts of analyte.