The handles of cooking vessels are covered with plastic or wood because

Options

A. they are beautiful
B. it is customary
C. they are good conductors of heat
D. they are bad conductors of heat

Explanation

To answer the question, "The handles of cooking vessels are covered with plastic or wood because", we can break down the reasoning step by step:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Function of the Handle**:
- The handle of a cooking vessel is designed for holding and maneuvering the pot or pan while cooking.

2. **Heat Transfer in Cooking**:
- When cooking, the base of the vessel is heated by the stove or fire. This heat can transfer to the handles if they are made of materials that conduct heat well.

3. **Consequences of Heat Transfer**:
- If the handle gets hot due to heat transfer, it can cause burns when a person tries to hold it. Therefore, it is essential that the handle remains cool to the touch.

4. **Material Properties**:
- Materials can be classified as good conductors or bad conductors of heat. Good conductors (like metals) allow heat to pass through easily, while bad conductors (like wood and plastic) do not.

5. **Choosing the Right Material**:
- To prevent heat from transferring from the cooking vessel to the handle, the handles are made from materials that are bad conductors of heat. This ensures that the handle remains safe to touch even when the vessel is hot.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the handles of cooking vessels are covered with plastic or wood because they are bad conductors of heat. This prevents heat from the cooking vessel from reaching the handle, allowing safe handling.

### Final Answer:
The handles of cooking vessels are covered with plastic or wood because they are bad conductors of heat.

---