Question

Some electric stoves have a flat ceramic surface with heating elements hidden beneath. A pot placed over a heating element will be heated, while it is safe to touch the surface only a few centimeters away. Why is ceramic, with a conductivity less than that of metal but greater than that of a good insulator, an ideal choice for the stovetop?

Short answer

A ceramic surface is an ideal substance because it provides safe cooking with a minimum loss of energy.

Step-by-step solution

Explain the scenario

In an electric stove, the heat required for cooking is produced by electricity. Here, electrical energy is transformed into thermal energy. Heating elements, which are kept below the ceramic surface, are responsible for this energy transformation.

Here, you need to find out why a ceramic surface is used even though the conductivity is lower than that of metal but higher than that of an insulator.

Explain the role of ceramic surfaces in electric stoves

Conductivity is the property of a material to transfer heat or current through a body. Sincethe conductivity of ceramic substances is lower than that of metals, you can easily touch them while cooking. So, it gives protection. Moreover, it prevents heat loss and maximum energy can be used for cooking. Since it has a greater conductivity than an insulator, it conducts heat with a minimum loss of energy.

So, the ceramic flat surface prevents heat loss, and its conductivity makes it safe while cooking.