why can't you put aluminum foil in the microwave?
2007-03-05 05:42:41 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Foil won't ruin the magnetron (the device that actually produces microwaves) any faster than running the microwave while empty- and the magnetron will overheat in either case because it is the only object in there tuned to produce radiation of that frequency (therefore it will also absorb it). When there is food or water in the oven, as long as it's volume is at least about 1 cm. or more in one direction or another, then that will absorb most of the energy radiated. The microwaves will induce electric currents in the foil (ir any other metallic conductor) producing sparks and heat, which is the "light show" referred to.
2007-03-05 06:00:50 · answer #1 · answered by indiana_jones_andthelastcrusade 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe it is because the way microwaves work is that they normally pass through most materials but it can't pass through aluminum foil.
Basically it will ruin the microwave. Seen it happen and it can be quite the light show....
2007-03-05 05:51:56 · answer #2 · answered by John 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any metal inside the chamber will be excited by the microwave, the same how a antenna work in a radio, but with the difference that is so much energy involved that the metal will spark, due to parasite currents created in the material. The sparks is what actually damaged the equipment.
2007-03-05 06:41:35 · answer #3 · answered by Mark N 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question!
I suppose because the inside is a closed box, such as a Faraday cage, while a small metal object inside may get hot and produce sparks because of the strong eddy currents induced by the electromagnetic microwave radiation.
2007-03-05 06:01:34 · answer #4 · answered by aaryan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will reflect back and damage the microwave oven. This applies to any kind of metal.
2007-03-05 05:50:06 · answer #5 · answered by robert2020 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋