Final answer:
Wood does not conduct heat well, which makes it the correct answer. Metals are good heat conductors due to free electrons, while materials like wood, plastic, and rubber are poor conductors and are used for cookware handles for safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the materials listed, wood does not conduct heat well, making it the correct answer to which of the following cooking materials does NOT conduct heat. Metals like silver, copper, gold, and aluminum are known for their high heat conductivity, often related to their density of free electrons that can transport thermal energy, which is why cooking utensils are typically made from metals. Silicone and Teflon, while not as conductive as metals, still have some heat conductivity, especially compared to wood. Rubber, plastic, and wood are examples of poor heat conductors, often used for the handles of cookware to provide a rubber support preventing heat transfer and keeping them cool to the touch. Pure silicon is noted for not conducting heat well, similar to its electrical conductivity properties, which adds context to how certain materials can be insulative, such as the silicon in silicone cookware.