I assume it has something to do with the toast changing the temperature of the air around it, and the air’s ability to hold moisture changing, in turn. But if I’m remembering my mediocre science education correctly, hot air can hold more humidity, so is it caused by the displacement of the (relatively) cool air around the toast, losing its humidity? I’m perplexed.
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You’ve basically explained it.
It’s due to the humidity and temperature differences between the toast, plate, and air. Hot toast, a room temperature plate, and room temperature, causes a decrease in the temperature of the toast, and to a very small degree – due to a very low heat capacity – an increase in temperature of the plate.
Because the additional heat cannot be easily absorbed into the plate, yet is emanating constantly from the toast, the additional heat is absorbed into the air – increasing moisture (humidity).
The air around the toast – but not underneath it – can dissipate the additional new moisture, however the air trapped between the toast and plate cannot.
The plate – due to its hard and non-porous composition – cannot absorb the additional moisture trapped between it and the toast. So the moisture (condensation) settles on the plate. The toast, on the other hand can absorb some of the moisture, and does, but because it’s so dry, the additional moisture isn’t as noticeable as the moisture collecting on the plate.
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