Why Doesn’t the Paper Burn?



A newspaper on an induction cooktop, a pot of water on top, power on. The water boils and the paper is fine: the coil under the glass makes a fast-changing magnetic field that passes straight through glass and paper and only drives currents in the iron pot. The pot heats itself.
And with water inside, the pot stays near 212°F, less than half of what paper needs to burn.
Don’t try this at home: cooktop makers say never put paper or anything else between the pan and the burner, and an empty pot gets far hotter.

Sources: ENERGY STAR (US EPA), Residential Induction Cooking Tops · OpenStax, University Physics Volume 2 · Sub-Zero/Wolf product support

#Science #Physics #Induction

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21 Comments

  1. Why does your avatar look like that other 3d animated science channel that explains things? Right down to the narrow face and pompadour with the buddy holly looking glasses and he just silently watches as a narrator explains everything. I can't remember their name but you guys look the same

  2. Half true!
    Paper stays cool as an insulator, but any conducting pot won't work. Pure copper or aluminum would stay cold. Induction needs ferromagnetic metal (like iron) for the magnetic resistance required to actually generate heat.

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