Why are MOST oven mitts made out of cloth?
A
Cloth is an insulator because it reduces the rate of heat transfer.
B
Cloth is a conductor because it blocks the heat.
C
Cloth is a conductor because it increases the rate of heat transfer.
D
Cloth is an insulator because it cools a pan down.
A
Cloth is an insulator because it reduces the rate of heat transfer.
A
Cloth is an insulator because it reduces the rate of heat transfer.
The correct answer is A - Cloth is an insulator because it reduces the rate of heat transfer.
Most oven mitts are made out of cloth because cloth is a good insulator. An insulator is a material that reduces the rate of heat transfer, meaning it helps to keep heat from passing through it easily. When handling hot objects like pots and pans, it is important to use a material that will provide protection and prevent burns.
Cloth is a good choice for oven mitts because it has low thermal conductivity, which means it does not effectively transfer heat. The thick layers of fabric in an oven mitt help to trap air, creating a barrier that slows down the movement of heat from the hot object to your hand. This protective barrier allows you to handle hot items with reduced risk of burning yourself.
If oven mitts were made from a material that conducted heat well (option B or C), such as metal or a thin plastic, then the heat from the hot object would transfer quickly through the oven mitt and reach your hand, increasing the risk of burns.
Option D is not correct because cloth doesn't cool down a pan. Rather, it acts as an insulator, preventing the heat from the pan from transferring to your hand.