What is the purpose of a layer or copper or aluminum on the bottom of stainless steel cookware?
All objects continuously emit radiant energy. Why then doesn't the temperature of all objects continuously decrease?
All objects continuously absorb energy from their surroundings. Why then doesn't the temperature of all objects continuously increase?
Stainless steel is a poor conductor of heat. To spread the heat evenly across the bottom, another metal is needed.
On the second, they do. The universe is cooling.
On the third, the temperature stablizes when thermal radiation radiating is equal to thermal radiation coming in.
The purpose of a layer of copper or aluminum on the bottom of stainless steel cookware is to enhance its heat conductivity. Stainless steel is not a good conductor of heat, but copper and aluminum are. By adding a layer of copper or aluminum to the bottom of the cookware, it helps distribute heat more evenly and allows for faster and more efficient cooking.
Now let's move on to your second question regarding the temperature of objects and their continuous emission and absorption of energy.
While it is true that all objects continuously emit radiant energy, the temperature of an object doesn't necessarily decrease because it simultaneously absorbs energy from its surroundings. The rate of energy absorption and emission depends on several factors such as the object's temperature, its surroundings, and the properties of the materials involved.
In a balanced scenario, where the rate of energy absorption equals the rate of energy emission, the object's temperature remains constant. This state is known as thermal equilibrium.
If the rate of energy absorption exceeds the rate of energy emission, the object's temperature will increase over time. On the other hand, if the rate of energy emission exceeds the rate of energy absorption, the object's temperature will decrease.
So, the temperature of an object doesn't continuously decrease because it is continuously absorbing energy from its surroundings, which counteracts the energy it emits.
Similarly, the temperature of an object doesn't continuously increase because it is also continuously emitting energy, which balances out the energy it absorbs from the surroundings.
Understanding the principles of energy absorption and emission, along with factors like surrounding temperature and materials involved, helps explain why the temperature of objects doesn't continuously decrease or increase.