Microwaves are like radio waves trapped (reflected) inside a microwave oven. The microwaves will heat best that which serves as a good "antenna." Metal foil is an excellent antenna and should not be placed within a microwave oven. Ceramics absorbe very little energy and microwave-safe plates heat up very little. Microwaves are attenuated very well by hydrogen (as in water or juicy meat?). The microwaves can not penetrate easily into a large piece of meat because they are used up at the surface. That is why operating a microwave oven for twice the required length of time at 50% (intermittent) power will allow heat at the surface to equalize with the cooler meat inside. That is also why microwave ovens can not be trusted to kill all germs (salmonella, ecoli, etc.?) as well as a regular oven.
2006-07-28 09:01:12
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answer #1
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answered by Kes 7
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I assume that you mean in a microwave oven? If so, we need to look at how a microwave oven works. A microwave generator makes a beam of microwave radiation that is thin, and could cook things, but only in a thin line, and that would take forever to cook. So in addition tot he microwave emittor, there is also a scattering fan made with metallic blades to scatter the thin beam so that it covers a pattern on the inside of the microwave oven. This pattern covers MOST of the inside of the oven (at least that is the way that most ovens are designed). The problem is that the fan sets up a static pattern that will leave out some areas of the oven. There is nothing that can be done to help this unless the pattern can be made truly random. This is also why most ovens these days have a turntable in them, to help pass the food through as much of the reflection pattern as it can. Even so, there will exist "dead spots" in the oven that, even with rotation, cannot cook food.
2006-07-28 11:04:50
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answer #2
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answered by Wally M 4
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the heating is non uniform as the heat is created by the flow of energy in the material. If the bread gets drier less energy will flow in it. the same energy on cheese for a short time will melt it quick. very dangerous to your flesh. If u manage to defeat the safety interlock and open the door while the microwave is on u will be blind very quickly.
This stuff is dangerous study hard be safe
2006-07-28 11:10:43
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answer #3
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answered by JOHNNIE B 7
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Microwave heats water molecules. Since the moisture in the food is not uniform , the heat distribution is not uniform
2006-07-28 10:56:16
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answer #4
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answered by Dr M 5
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I am no expert, but I think it is because the microwaves are tuned to heat water molecules. If the distribution of these inside the food you put in is uneven, then the heating will be uneven too.
2006-07-28 10:58:32
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answer #5
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answered by Luis T 2
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Perhaps this has to do with the random behaviour of the electron.
I would like you to explore this further. Send this question to the science cartoon that appears in some Sunday Cartoons.
Also, I've found a portal to many different "Ask science questions," so I'm linking it below:
2006-07-28 10:57:03
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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