Which best explains why metal cooking utensils often have plastic coating on their handles?

Metal conducts thermal energy well, so heat from the cooking utensil can travel along its handle and burn someone’s hand. Plastic is a poor conductor of heat, so a coating reduces the transfer of thermal energy to the person holding it. Therefore, the best choice is “Plastic reduces the transfer of thermal energy to hands holding the utensils.”

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.