Which best explains why metal cooking utensils often have plastic coating on their handles?

• A. Plastic increases the strength of the metal utensil.
• B. Plastic makes the utensil more resistant to rust.
• C. Plastic is a poor conductor of heat, preventing burns when handling hot utensils.
• D. Plastic reacts with food to enhance flavor.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key property of metals relevant to cooking utensils: metals are good conductors of heat, meaning they transfer heat quickly.
2. Understand the practical problem: if the handle of a metal utensil conducts heat, it can become very hot and cause burns when touched.
3. Recognize the role of plastic: plastic is a poor conductor of heat, so it does not transfer heat efficiently from the metal to the handle surface.
4. Conclude that coating the handle with plastic acts as an insulator, reducing heat transfer and making the utensil safer and more comfortable to hold.
5. Evaluate the other options and see that plastic does not increase metal strength, does not prevent rust (which is related to oxidation), and does not react with food to enhance flavor.