If a glass is an insulator why is it we could use it to cook food?

Answer 1

It depends how the glass is arranged. Glass conducts heat too. Test tubes for example are made of glass, as well as erlenmeyer flasks and beakers and you heat them with bunsen burner. Glass indeed conducts heat rapidly when used this way.

But if you trap air in between glasses, it becomes a very effective insulation. A double-paned window glass has an air in between which serves as a good insulation.

Even a single pane glass will provide insulation because there is air in front of the glass, but a double pane glass is much better because the air trapped inside moves a little bit and will not transfer as much heat. The windshield of your car prevents flow of cold air, and so you can argue it is an insulation when used this way.

Now there are also tiny hollow glass beads which are used as insulations in some buildings and even submarines. They are superstrong but the real insulation is the air trapped inside and in-between them.

Answer 2

Glass is not an insulator but it thermal conductivity is much less than metals. It is suitable for long slow cooking or baking, but not for frying when you want something to brown.

Answer 3

Glass is an electrical insulator, not a heat insulator. . .

Answer 4

there are different kind of insulators. Glass is a good ELECTRICAL insulator but a poor THERMAL insulator. styrofoam is a good example of a good THERMAL insulator.

Answer 5

because it's not a perfect insulator.

Answer 6

it transfers heat really well while remaining stable enough to stay intact.........not breaking in the oven