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Q:
Why is metal always colder than wood even if at room temperature?
- scott (age 13)
pontiex high school, canada
A:
I think what you mean is that metal FEELS colder than wood if they're
both at room temperature. That's because metal conducts heat much
better than wood does. Since your hand is hotter than room temperature,
both the metal and the wood conduct heat away from it. Since the metal
conducts better, that cools your hand faster, and that's what you feel.
Mike W.
By the same token, if the metal and the wood are hotter than your hand, the metal will feel hotter than the wood.
Tom.
(published on 10/22/2007)
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