What will happen if you left your plates or tube open to the air for prolonged period of time?

If the petri plates are kept open for the longer duration of time then there are chances of cross contamination.

The contamination can be defined as growth of undesired microbes in the petri dishes or tubes which is no longer useful for the experiment.

The tube if kept open will develop the growth of contaminants in it. It can be cross contamination as well.

To avoid contamination the tubes and dishes should not be kept open for a longer duration of time.