Why does a plastic fizzy drink bottle usually feel warmer than a metal can of drink even if they are at the same tmeperature?

Answer 1

The plastic drink bottle feels warmer than a metal can because the metal can has a higher thermal conductivity compared to the plastic drink bottle. Thermal conductivity is the property of a substance to conduct heat, and the metal can, being made of metal, has a much higher ability to conduct heat compared with the plastic bottle. This means that when you touch the metal can, it draws out your own body heat faster than than when you touch the plastic bottle, so the can feels cooler.

Answer 2

no, its not, but plastic is a thermal insulator while metal is a thermal conductor.

this means when you touch plastic or metal at a certain temperature the area touched on the plastic quickly assumes body temperature as it can't exchange heat/cold with the rest of the plastic, but on the metal it stays at the same temperature as the rest of the metal... either hotter or colder than body temperature.

Answer 3

metal is more conductive (transfers energy at a faster rate).

Answer 4

why does a plastic container keep the contents cold longer than a metal container

Answer 5

The specific heat capacities are very different.