Question

A hot plate can be safely operated on a dry countertop, but it is an electrical hazard on a wet countertop. What physical property of water and air is responsible for this difference?"

Answer 1

Water's conductivity is the physical property responsible for the difference in electrical hazard between a dry and wet countertop when operating a hot plate.

Step-by-step explanation:

The physical property of water responsible for the difference in the electrical hazard between a dry countertop and a wet countertop is its conductivity. Water is a good conductor of electricity, which means it allows electric current to flow through it easily. When a hot plate is placed on a wet countertop, the water can conduct the electric current from the hot plate, creating an electrical hazard. On the other hand, air is a poor conductor of electricity, so placing a hot plate on a dry countertop is safe as the electric current is not conducted.