what rays are used in the microwave ovens?how can they make the food instantly warm? are they harmful?

Answer 1

Microwaves cause the water molecules in the food to vibrate rapidly making heat from the friction. No harm if you don't tamper with the oven's seals etc.

Answer 2

I would imagine if it was called a microwave oven then obviously they would be "micro" waves.....duh. They cause the cells in the food to vibrate or move and the friction produces heat & warms the food. Of course they are harmful. Thats why the oven has a safety switch on the door so the oven will not work unless the door is closed.

Answer 3

A Microwave oven is a device that uses microwaves to rapidly cook food. The microwaves cause water molecules in the food to vibrate, producing heat, which is distributed through the food by induction. A special electron tube called a magnetron produces the microwaves. Typical output power for consumer devices ranges from 650 to 1200 watts. To ensure even heating, the magnetron directs its waves at a rotating metal disk with offset vanes, which scatters the waves through the oven cavity; a rotating platform for the food is sometimes used in addition. Power settings may reduce the amount of radiation by cycling a constant-output magnetron on and off for varying lengths of time, or may reduce the level of radiation constantly produced by an inverter magnetron. The magnetron may be supplemented by quartz and halogen bulbs for browning food, which microwaves do poorly.

Whether or not this is harmful or destroys food value (nutrients etc...) is very debatable with people on both sides of the fence. Health conscious people usually lean to the harmful side and others who probably have stake in the monetary aspect go to great lengths to state their safety.

I prefer not to use them myself though the convenience is hard to get away from and I use mine regularly.

Ive left links pro and against for you to research yourself.

Against microwaves:
http://www.mercola.com/article/microwave/hazards.htm
http://tuberose.com/Microwave_Ovens.html
http://www.cyclingforums.com/t60567.html

Pro microwave:
http://www.microwaveassociation.org.uk/factsheets/safe.htm
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/publications/facts/info_microwaves/en/

It seems the only promicrowave websites you can find have a vested interest in the sale of microwaves.
It should be pointed out that it is money in these peoples pockets to claim they are safe. When trying to wade through the controversy on any subject I always try to follow the money trail. Who benefits from what they are saying. If someone is selling nothing and they still are very adament about a subject they probably can be believed more than the other. Keep in mind Government agencies are often bought by the consumer lobbyists as well. Special interest and all that.

Answer 4

you just said it. Microwave oven uses microwave.
(it's has shorter wavelength then visible light)
Microwave makes the water molecules in the food vibrate and that makes the food warm(sort of like.. friction energy).

and SO FAR, there is no scientific study done about microwave being harmful to you. I personally think that microwave is not harmful to human beings b/c it has less energy then visible light.
The reason why UV, x-ray and gamma ray are harmful is because the photon of UV, x-ray, and gamma ray has a lot of energy than visible light. Infrared, microwave, and other radiowaves(wireless internet, cell phone, AM/FM radio etc) have less energy than visible light.

Answer 5

Basically, microwaves are produced by a device in the unit. These waves hit the food and make the water molecules vibrate back and forth faster and faster (adding energy to them.) The more energy and speed the water builds up, the hotter it gets. This is why materials like ceramic and glass do not heat up, they have very little water in them to heat.

That little metal grate full of holes that is built in the door of the microwave is sufficient to block the microwaves from escaping. Feel free to stare at your food as it goes around while it's heating.

Answer 6

Microwaves, which are very high frequency radio waves, like a radar uses (hence the name Radarange).
They are harmful to people if you are exposed to leaks from the microwave oven. They do weird things to proteins in food that is overheated.
They make the water molecules wiggle until they are hot.

Answer 7

i dont remember what rays r used in the microwave but to be safe when warming your food keep it covered while warming and stay away from the microwave until its finish because radiation that u feel on the outside of the microwave (like coll breeze) ts cancerous.

Answer 8

Microwaves.

They penetrate into the food heating it from the inside out. They heat up the water molecules inside the food.

They are harmful if you are exposed to them by way of a damaged/cracked/broken microwave.

Answer 9

By the name it self one can say they are micro waves. Micro waves and infra red rays overlap in their spectrum. These waves are characterized by their heating effect. These rays are easily absorbed by substances. That is when they are absorbed the substance is heated.

Heat is transmitted by three ways conduction, convection and radiation. In microwave oven the third type of transmission of heat alone is used.

Answer 10

The rays are harmful and with high tempratures.