What prevents aluminum foil from becoming hot in an oven while other metals get very hot?

Aluminum foil is one of the most commonly used household items for cooking and baking, and it is often used to cover food items in the oven. One of the most interesting things about aluminum foil is that it does not become hot in the oven, unlike other metals that get very hot. This raises an important question: how does aluminum foil manage to stay cool in the oven when other metals get so hot?

The answer lies in the unique properties of aluminum foil. Aluminum is a good conductor of electricity and heat, but it is also a good reflector of both. When aluminum foil is exposed to the heat in an oven, it reflects most of the heat back to the oven, rather than absorbing it. This is why aluminum foil does not become hot in the oven, and why it is often used to cover food items to prevent them from getting too brown or to cook them more evenly.

In addition to aluminum foil, there are other metals that have similar properties of low thermal conductivity and high reflectivity. Gold, silver, and copper are just a few examples of metals that do not retain heat as much as other metals. These metals are often used in applications where heat needs to be controlled or reflected, such as in solar panels and reflectors.

Apart from metals, there are also other materials that do not retain heat, such as ceramics and some types of plastics. These materials have low thermal conductivity and low heat capacity, which makes them poor conductors of heat.

Overall, the ability of a material to retain heat depends on its thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and reflectivity. Materials with low thermal conductivity and high reflectivity tend to not retain heat as much as other materials. This is why aluminum foil and other materials with similar properties do not become hot in the oven, and why they are often used in applications where heat needs to be controlled or reflected.