Q.7 Explain why the following are made of thermosetting plastics.
(a) Saucepan handles
(b) Electric plugs/switches/plug boards

(a) Thermosetting plastics are used to make saucepan handles because they are bad conductors of heat. On receiving heat, thermoplastic gets melted and then it becomes hard for the person to handle the saucepan while, the thermosetting plastic do not melt and often breaks down without getting reformed upon cooling. So the thermosetting plastic does not harm the person holding it upon receiving heat.

(b) Bakelite is a kind of thermosetting plastic which is a bad conductor of heat and electricity. So it does not have free electrons to conduct electricity by allowing flow of current through it. Hence to protect the person from getting electric shocks or burns, bakelite is used for making electric plugs, switches, plug boards, etc.