How Does A Microwave Oven Work?
A microwave oven uses microwaves, which are basically radio waves, to cook food. The commonly used frequency is roughly 2,500 MHz (2.5 GHz).
Radio waves in this frequency range are absorbed by water, fats and sugars. When absorbed, they are converted directly into heat.
They are not absorbed by most plastics, glass or ceramics.
Metal reflects microwaves, which is why metal pans don't work well in an oven.
The radio waves penetrate the food and excite water and fat molecules pretty much evenly throughout the food, unlike a conventional oven, where heat migrates toward the interior by conduction. In a microwave oven, there is heat everywhere all at once because the molecules are all excited together.
Radio waves in this frequency range are absorbed by water, fats and sugars. When absorbed, they are converted directly into heat.
They are not absorbed by most plastics, glass or ceramics.
Metal reflects microwaves, which is why metal pans don't work well in an oven.
The radio waves penetrate the food and excite water and fat molecules pretty much evenly throughout the food, unlike a conventional oven, where heat migrates toward the interior by conduction. In a microwave oven, there is heat everywhere all at once because the molecules are all excited together.
