Which best explains why metal cooking utensils often have a plastic coating on their handles? Plastic melts less easily and lasts longer than metal. Plastic reduces the transfer of thermal energy to hands holding the utensils. Plastic molds more easily into shapes like long, thin handles. Plastic increases the rate of conduction from the utensil to the food. answer quickly, please

Metal solids contain a positively-charged cation surrounded by a "sea" of delocalised, negatively-charged electrons.

The electrons are able to move freely, and hence transfer kinetic energy throughout the implement at a much quicker rate than non-metals.

Plastic is made of non-metals (Mostly carbon and hydrogen) and therefore is a poor thermal conductor.

Therefore, by coating the metal utensil in plastic, the rate of heat energy transfer to the person in contact's hand is decreased.