Question

A scientist took an iron rod and a wooden rod and wrapped each of them in a piece of paper. There were then heated. It was found that the paper around the metal rod doesn't burn whereas the one around the wooden rod catches fire. Can you explain why?

Answer 1

Heat transfers quickly through the paper because it is thin and therefore does not burn due to the applied flame. The metal conducts the heat away from the junction and therefore remains cool. The wood however does not conduct very well and therefore rapidly heats up burning the paper, and the wood underneath if left too long.