why no spoon IN THE MICROWAVE!?

Question

THEY SAY NO SPOON IN THE MICROWAVE WHY! AND WHAT CAUSES THE THING TO HAPPEN

Answer 1

Calm down, man! When you put metal in the microwave it causes sparks and also reflects microwaves back out into the appliance, which damage it. They're trying to protect you... whoever 'they' are...

Answer 2

Technically, the microwaves that are generated inside the machine have very high energy (they are very short, not like low-energy radio waves). If your spoon is metal, then the microwaves will 'burn' the metal atoms and this can end up damaging the part of the machine that actually produces the microwaves.

The safety is really for the machine, not you! Don't try this at home!!!

Answer 3

Metal reflects microwaves. If you put a spoon in the microwave it will bounce the waves away from the food. They bounce back at the source of the waves and damage it. You see spars in the microwave.

Answer 4

It has to do with the nature of the metal. Theoretically you could put a completely smooth object in a microwave and nothing would happen. Here's the why, jagged edges of the crystalline structure of metals ( or the crumpled ends of aluminum foil ). The electrons within the metal absorb the mwaves, causing excitation, the sparks you see are electrons jumping the gaps (in the foil) creating an arc. Flat surfaces won't do this. Remember it's the motion of electrons (because they are free to flow in metals) that is responsible for electricity. No rough edges, no arc-

Answer 5

A wire is worse but the sparks fly. Some of the older models the energy will reflect back in the magnetron and cause it to burn up.

Answer 6

Goby Dude is right.
You may use plastic spoons. No problem.

Th