Final answer:
Ceramic is ideal for electric stove tops due to its moderate thermal conductivity, providing effective heat transfer and safety with cooler areas just centimeters away from the heating element.
Step-by-step explanation:
Electric stoves with a flat ceramic surface utilize heating elements beneath the ceramic top to cook food. Ceramic is an ideal material for stove tops because it forms a durable, easy-to-clean surface and has a moderate thermal conductivity. This means that heat is effectively transferred to the pot positioned directly over the heating element, but the heat also dissipates quickly enough to ensure that areas a few centimeters away remain relatively cool and safe to touch. This property makes ceramic a safer choice compared to metal, which would distribute the heat more evenly across the entire surface, potentially creating a hazard.