Why does stainless steel feel colder than plastic?

Question:

Take a plastic plate and a stainless steel plate at room temperature. The stainless steel plate will feel colder. Why?

a) Stainless steel conducts heat better than plastic.

b) Plastic has a higher specific heat capacity than stainless steel.

c) Plastic reflects more heat than stainless steel.

d) Stainless steel has a lower density than plastic.

Answer:

The stainless steel plate feels colder because it conducts heat better than plastic.

Final answer: The stainless steel plate feels colder because it conducts heat better than plastic, therefore absorbs and releases heat quickly. The plastic plate, being a poor conductor of heat, does not absorb heat from your hand as rapidly, making it feel warmer.

The stainless steel plate feels colder because stainless steel conducts heat better than plastic. This has to do with the thermal conductivity of materials. Metals like stainless steel are good conductors of heat, meaning they absorb and release heat quickly. In contrast, plastic is a poor conductor of heat. When you touch the stainless steel plate, it quickly absorbs heat from your hand, making it feel cold, whereas the plastic does not conduct heat away from your hand as rapidly, so it feels warmer. This is a misconception linked with human perception versus reality, as both plates are actually at room temperature.