Is it dangerous to put metal in a microwave to generate high energy sparks?

Question

I would like to add that I have taken seven years of chemistry classes and that I have an excellent understanding of synthetic techniques, spectroscopy, NMR and chemical calculations.

I am not a kid playing in the backyard.

Also, is this effective way to make sparks for an improvised ozonator? Sparks are the important thing.

Answer 1

ABSOLULTY NOT!!!!!!!!!

it will cause NO explosion or dangerous "radiation"
but it can damage your microwave's "radiation" emitter.

it also heats the metal alot!!!! don't touch it with bare skin.

different shapes can cause different arc patterns or none at all.
a loose ball of aluminum foil can give the best light show.

do us all a favor though and take the microwave outside and do it, JUST in case there is a fire.

and keep the timer down around 5 - 10 seconds

thanks and enjoy.

Answer 2

It sparks because the microwaves create an electric current in the metal. The same technique is used to make solar panels. When electromagnetic waves strike metal it drives off the electrons and starts them moving. Thus an electric current. If you want a fairly safe BIG BOOM then drop some dry ice in a plastic soda bottle (20 oz is fine) and screw the lid on TIGHT. Then drop that in a 5 gallon bucket that has been filled half full of warm water. GET BACK!. I have seen the plastic bottles reach over 150 feet in the air when they pop. No fire so no real danger as long as you aren't standing over the bucket when it goes off. It usually takes 10 seconds to 2 minutes to blow, depending on how warm the water is. Another one is the home made snap and pops I used to make at school. But I won't give anyone the directions to those. They make too big of a boom. Edit Folks if you try the dry ice routine wear safety goggles just in case a bottle goes off prematurely. (It is fun though!!!)

Answer 3

how much of what type of metal? a small piece of metal isn't dangerous you or the microwave. e.g. the amount of metal in a CD. more will be more dangerous to the microwave. like a fork. more than that and you risk melting the microwave oven around what ever it is unless you have it insulated. of course these all depend on time too. are you just asking this for attention?

Answer 4

Yes it is dangerous to put metal into a microwave. Like every science experiment there is a chance of death involved. Putting metal into a microwave causes the metal to act as a "magnet" for the microwave radiation, which causes the atoms of the metal to vibrate faster generating heat. This heat can do a number of things, melt the microwave (would casue microwave to short circuit and possibly explode), cause the metal to glow with infrared radiation (burning you) , and possible explode.

Answer 5

define "dangerous"

if you know what happens in those sparks and have experience with this sorta thing then no its not dangerous

if your going to randomly for the first time sticking a large chunk of unknown metal into the microwave then yes it is

Also what I consider dangerous, key word "I":
1) first and second family metals
2) any other low ionization energy metals
3) ping pong sized chunks of metal
4) doing it next to flammable material

PS: like everyone is also saying it WILL fry your microwave

Answer 6

What do you think? like everything metal says DO NOT MICROWAVE for a reason.

Answer 7

Yes! Sure. It is suicidal

Answer 8

Of course it is. You can start a fire.

Answer 9

more than likely, yes!

Answer 10

You will be buying a new microwave.................#########