Asked by tj
Now you need to put handles on your cookware! You have five different options, including metals and nonmetals such as wood. Based on specific heat, which material would be the best choice?
the material with the smallest specific heat
the material with the greatest specific heat
the material whose specific heat is farthest from the specific heat of the metal pan
the material whose specific heat is closest to the specific heat of the metal pan
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
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the material with the greatest specific heat.
Reason: for a given amount of heat Q transferred into the handle, the temperature rise is ΔT = Q/(mc). A larger specific heat c gives a smaller ΔT, so the handle heats up more slowly. (In practice you also want low thermal conductivity so heat doesn't flow from the pan into the grip — so an ideal handle has both a high specific heat and low conductivity, e.g. wood or certain plastics.)
Reason: for a given amount of heat Q transferred into the handle, the temperature rise is ΔT = Q/(mc). A larger specific heat c gives a smaller ΔT, so the handle heats up more slowly. (In practice you also want low thermal conductivity so heat doesn't flow from the pan into the grip — so an ideal handle has both a high specific heat and low conductivity, e.g. wood or certain plastics.)
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