A separating funnel made of plastic is a laboratory instrument commonly used to separate immiscible liquids (liquids that don't mix, like oil and water) based on differences in their densities. The plastic version is typically made from materials like polypropylene or polyethylene, which are durable, chemically resistant, and lightweight.
Here’s a brief overview of how a plastic separating funnel works:
Plastic separating funnels are advantageous in some labs since they're less likely to break compared to glass versions, but they are typically not as chemically resistant as glass and may be affected by some organic solvents.