Why does aluminum foil not get hot?

+1 vote
asked Nov 9, 2020 in Science by 58484jydro (1,010 points)
Why does aluminum foil not get hot?

1 Answer

0 votes
answered Nov 10, 2020 by Shelde (49,390 points)
Aluminum Foil does not get hot to the touch because aluminum foil is a good reflector of heat.

Any heat that gets to the aluminum foil is just reflected back away from the aluminum foil so that is why it does not get hot even though it's metal.

If you put a heat source such as heat lamp or heating element towards the aluminum foil then you'll notice the heat reflecting back towards you outwards.

That is why the aluminum foil is not hot when you touch it after it's been in a hot oven or other heat source.

Aluminum foil gets hot but the reason the aluminum foil is not hot to the touch is because the aluminum foil reflects the heat as it heats it up.

Aluminum foil is a good heat reflector and does not conduct heat too good.

Aluminum Foil also works great for holding heat in foods because it can trap heat inside of it.

If you wrap hotdogs or other food in aluminum foil it will stay hot for quite awhile.

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