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 your hand. Plastic is a poor conductor, so a plastic coating slows the transfer of heat to the person holding it. This makes “Plastic reduces the transfer of thermal energy to hands holding the utensils” the best explanation.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.