Why can't you put metal in a microwave if the in side of a microwave is metal?

Answer 1

There are several differences between the walls of the oven and a metal item placed in the oven. These differences (such as grounding and shape) make all the difference in the world as to what happens to the microwaves that hit them.

The walls are designed to keep the microwaves from getting outside the oven. This is especially true to prevent the microwaves from hitting the magnetron and other electronics needed to produce and control them. The microwaves can either be reflected back into the center of the oven or they can be grounded or neutralized.

A metal item place into the microwave oven has no such function. Microwaves which hit it are either absorbed or reflected but at random directions. If absorbed (such as a metallic trim on a glass), the metal can melt or pop off the item. If they are reflected, they can go in almost any direction.

If the microwaves are first absorbed and then the results reflected: They can produce secondary effects which include electrical discharges inside the oven and damage to the oven itself.

Inverter technologies just lower the power so that the results are not as noticeable (eye catching).

Answer 2

Microwaves are meditated by skill of metallic and generate into the metallic electric powered currents that spark to the interenal casing. the interior casing itself is hooked as much as the floor. If the mw case isn't made in metallic the microwaves will leak exterior ! putting metallic into the microwave may additionally injury completely the magnetron of the mw. metallic interior the vegetables is so scarce, yet so scarce which you would be able to evaluate it 0 comprehend the mass of the vegetable itself. and additionally interior the nutrients there is water and polar molecules that can take in the mw (and cook dinner the nutrients) in case you want to place a cd as stated by skill of the placed up earlier mine, placed additionally a tumbler packed with water, to absorb the mw and you will not injury the magnetron, yet do it in basic terms for some seconds. liquid crystal show reflects, cleansing soap, marshmallow, and eggs (beware for the explosion) are cool to confirm into the micro.

Answer 3

Metal contains billions of electrons which can carry current. The current is passed through each electron until it reaches a corner in the metal or the end of the surface. When it does this, it will reflect the electricity around the microwave making it dangerous.

Water has not many electrons which can move freely, due to hydrogen bonding, so it is safe.

The walls of the microwave are smooth so the electricity is kept inside the metal and won't discharge (no sharp pieces or ends).

Answer 4

I would think it is because the sides of a microwave are grounded to the rest of the microwave, if you set something in the microwave that is metal, the waves would try to go through it.

Answer 5

The sides of the microwave are grounded, while a metal utensil sitting in a bowl is not.

Answer 6

You can in mine, it's an inverter type microwave. It has a combination of grill, fan convection oven and inverter microwave. Makes lovely baked potatoes, on combination mode. You put them in on a metal tray, on top of the glass turn table. Takes a little longer as it microwaves and convection cooks, and browns the potatoes nicely.
But I wouldn't put any metal in there, that wasn't designed for that purpose.

Answer 7

It is due to the photo-electric effect.

Photo electric effect means emission of electrons under the action of light. When radiations like 'Ultra Violet Rays', 'Gamma Rays', 'Ordinary light', 'X-Rays', etc.. are directly sent over any metals, the minor part of the kinetic energy of the radiation is converted into heat and other part of the energy is used in ejection of electrons. The microwave uses this effect and produces heat.

When we put any metal inside it. The heat may melt the metal or the radiation may cause photo electric effect which results in the emission of electrons which are negatively charged. This may damage the electronic parts of microwave.

Hope you got your answer.