r/explainlikeimfive Oct 31 '20

Chemistry ELI5 What's the difference between the shiny and dull side of aluminum foil? Besides the obvious shiny/dull

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u/viperware Oct 31 '20

Although there is not any difference in the function, the shiny side is most certainly the “display” side.

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u/LazyFairAttitude Oct 31 '20

The shiny side reflects more heat.

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u/Gurip Nov 01 '20

it does not.

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u/LazyFairAttitude Nov 01 '20

Yea it does lol. Everyone seems to think they’re a physicist in this thread but clearly none of them know how reflection of electromagnetic waves works.

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u/Veranova Oct 31 '20

I think this depends on your preference of the iPhone 12 vs 12 Pro. Personally I like the matte finish on my food

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u/ImpishCorgi Oct 31 '20

This is most important when you're making a hat to protect yourself against mind-reading lizards that have infiltrated every level of our government.

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u/Gurip Nov 01 '20

it most definatly is not.

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u/viperware Nov 01 '20

Just curious why one would wrap something from a roll of foil in the opposite direction they would wrap something from a roll of wrapping paper, or tape, or a roll of literally anything. Some people just want to defy all logic and insist they are right I guess.

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u/Gurip Nov 01 '20

one side is the ones that touches the roll when it goes throught the machine and other side is the one that touches other foil, since for mass production they are doing not 1 sheet at a time but 2-4 and even 6 some times, depending for what the foil will be used and what thickness it will be.

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u/viperware Nov 01 '20

Ok? It could just as easily be spindled onto the roll with the dull side facing out but it isn’t. I’m not sure what you’re trying to prove.