MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Subject: Why does aluminum foil keep a hot potato hot?

Date: Fri Oct 26 20:05:20 2001
Posted by Spencer
Grade level: 7-9 School: Inman Middle School
City: Atlanta State/Province: Georgia Country: USA
Area of science: Physics
ID: 1004141120.Ph
Message:

Aluminum foil is a good conductor of heat energy, so how does wrapping up a hot 
potato in foil keep it hot?  For example, you can put an aluminum nail in the 
potato to speed up cooking, but the same material seems to retain heat when 
used as a wrap. I suspect that the foil keeps water (steam) from escaping, but 
why doesn't the potato cool down just as fast as an unwrapped potato due to heat 
escaping directly through the foil? 


Re: Why does aluminum foil keep a hot potato hot?

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