Question

Which of the properties are suitable for a cooking utensil?
A. High specific heat
B. Low specific heat
C. High conductivity
D. Low conductivity

Answer 1

It can be answered easily if we have basic knowledge of heat transfer, and what are the factors that affect the rate of heat transfer. We know that cooking utensils are utensils made up of certain materials which are used for cooking food items.

Complete Step by step answer: A cooking utensil must be made up of suitable material that would ensure the cooking of food not only efficiently but also ensures the safety regarding this. Basically, a cooking utensil must be made up of such material which possesses the following qualities;
High conductivity – A cooking utensil must possess a fair thermal conductivity. Thermal conductivity actually refers to the ability of a certain material to conduct heat. The cooking utensils are required to have the ability to transfer heat energy quickly or at a higher rate. So a cooking utensil must have high thermal conductivity.
Low specific heat – The quantity of heat required for each unit mass to elevate the temperature by ${\rm{1}}{\;^{\rm{o}}}{\rm{C}}$ is referred to as the specific heat of that material. Low specific heat ensures that a less amount of heat energy is required to elevate the temperature of the material. Whereas the high specific heat indicates a high amount of heat energy required for the elevation in the temperature. So a cooking utensil must have low specific heat.
Low coefficient of expansion – Coefficient of thermal expansion is the term used to explain the relationship between the temperature change and the change in size of a material. A low coefficient of expansion means there will be less change in size of the material with respect to the change in temperature.

Hence, options (B) low specific heat and (C) high conductivity, are the correct options.

Note: Materials possessing specific properties like high thermal conductivity, low specific heat and low coefficient of expansion are used as the materials for making cooking utensils. Examples may include steel, copper, aluminium, etc.