Chapter 5: Problem 17

A potato will cook faster in a conventional oven if a large nail is inserted into it. Why?

Short Answer

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Answer: A potato cooks faster in a conventional oven when a large nail is inserted into it because the nail, being a better heat conductor, allows the heat to transfer more quickly and evenly into the interior of the potato, thus reducing the overall cooking time.

Step by step solution

Understand the cooking process in a conventional oven

In a conventional oven, heat is transferred to the food primarily through conduction (transfer of heat through direct contact) and convection (transfer of heat through the movement of heated air). The heat from the oven walls and the air inside the oven gets transferred to the surface of the potato, and then further into the interior of the potato as it cooks.

Consider the heat conduction in potatoes

The rate at which heat is transferred through a substance depends on its thermal conductivity. In general, the thermal conductivity of potatoes is quite low. This means that heat does not transfer very quickly or evenly from the surface to the interior of the potato, which can result in a longer cooking time.

Introduce the role of the nail in heat conduction

A large nail, typically made of metal, has a much higher thermal conductivity than a potato. When the nail is inserted into the potato, it acts as a heat conductor, allowing heat to transfer more quickly and evenly from the surface of the potato to the interior. This is because the nail conducts heat more effectively than the potato itself, providing a more direct path for the heat to reach the center.

Explain how the nail affects cooking time

By improving the heat transfer into the potato, the nail effectively reduces the time it takes for the entire potato to reach the desired cooking temperature. As the nail conducts heat more efficiently than the potato, the heat reaches the center of the potato faster. This allows for a more even cooking and can result in reducing the overall cooking time of the potato.

Conclusion

In conclusion, inserting a large nail into a potato helps it cook faster in a conventional oven due to the increased thermal conductivity provided by the nail. The nail acts as a more efficient heat conductor, allowing the heat to transfer more quickly and evenly into the interior of the potato, thus reducing the overall cooking time.

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A potato will cook faster in a conventional oven if a large nail is inserted into it. Why?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand the cooking process in a conventional oven

Consider the heat conduction in potatoes

Introduce the role of the nail in heat conduction

Explain how the nail affects cooking time

Conclusion

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