Why did students need to wear protective gloves while heating metal spoons on a hot plate?

Wearing protective gloves while heating metal spoons on a hot plate is essential primarily to prevent burns caused by the conduction of heat through the metal. Metals are good conductors of heat, meaning that when a metal spoon is heated on a hot plate, it can become extremely hot. If a student were to handle the spoon without gloves, they risk direct skin contact with the heated metal, which could result in painful burns.

Therefore, the use of protective gloves serves as an important safety measure to insulate the hands from the hot metal, ensuring that students can safely perform their experiments without injury. It's vital to prioritize safety when conducting experiments that involve heating objects, as it mitigates the risk of burns and reinforces the importance of using appropriate protective gear in science labs.