Why does a metal spoon in hot soup get hot faster than a wooden spoon?
AMetal is thinner
BMetal is a better conductor of heat
CMetal attracts more heat
DWood is colder
Metal conducts heat very well because its particles pass energy along quickly. Wood is a poor heat conductor, so it takes much longer to transfer heat.
Question 2 True / False
Heat conduction requires two objects to be in direct contact.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: True
Conduction transfers heat through direct touch. The particles of the hot object bump into particles of the cooler object, passing energy along.
Question 3 Short Answer
Why are pot handles often made of wood or plastic instead of metal?
Think about your answer, then reveal below.
Model answer: Wood and plastic are poor heat conductors (good insulators), so they do not transfer the pot's heat to your hand.
If pot handles were metal, heat from the hot pot would conduct quickly to the handle and burn your hand. Wood and plastic slow down heat transfer, keeping the handle cool.