Question

When performing the experiment for hydrolysis of benzamide to form benzoic acid, why do we add a piece of unglazed porcelain to the flask during heating?

Answer 1

I presume this is a boiling chip, i.e. a bit of porous pot to provide nucleation.

Explanation:

So, why do we add the boiling chip? If we heat something fiercely, we can get superheating. Upon superheating, sometimes the heated liquid bumps and goes everywhere. Certainly we need to heat fiercely if we are hydrolyzing an acid derivative. The pot chip provides nucleation, i.e. bubbles, so that the bulk liquid avoids bumping.