system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Do different objects/substances feel colder based on their ability to transfer and absorb heat?

For example, a when I grab two objects after being left alone overnight one may feel colder, but they would be at the same temperature right? Like aluminum versus cloth, is it because the aluminum just absorbs my body heat faster and “appears” colder or how else would this work?
gpt
Basically yes, you have the right of it. You skin doesn't measure the temperature of substances you touch, but only whether you are losing heat or gaining heat and how quickly. The metal asborbs your heat quickly so you feel it more than the cotton which does not absorb heat as quickly (it may be so slow you don't feel it the change at all). You'll notice that the aluminum only feels cold for a few seconds before it reaches thermal equilibrium with your skin and then it doesn't feel cool anymore.