Question

State two important uses of plaster of Paris.

Answer 1

1. Plaster of Paris is used as a fireproofing material.
2. Plaster of Paris is used in chemistry laboratories to seal air gaps in apparatus where an airtight arrangement is required.
3. Plaster of Paris is used to make surfaces (like the walls of a house) smooth before painting them, and to create ornamental designs on the ceilings of houses and other buildings.
4. Plaster of Paris is used to make toys, decorative materials, cheap ornaments, cosmetics, blackboard chalk, and casts for statues.
5. Plaster of Paris is utilised in medical facilities to immobilise shattered bones in proper alignment, facilitating optimal healing. It maintains the alignment of the shattered bone. This use relies on the principle that when plaster of Paris is combined with an appropriate amount of water and applied to shattered limbs, it solidifies into a rigid mass. This method keeps the bone joints stationary. It is also utilised for fabricating dental casts.