[CoLoCo] [OT] there is one thing about microwaves (was Re: ubuntu and science fairs)

[Kevin Fries]

On Tue, 2008-02-05 at 10:27 -0500, TheZorch wrote:
> It has to do a lot with "how" microwaves heat things.  Usually when
> you put a cup in the microwave it heats the cup and in the turn the
> water gets hot, but not all types of cups absorb microwaves.

Actually you have that backwards.

Microwave ovens cook by manipulating the orientation of water molecules.
At certain radio frequencies, the molecules in water with all orient the
same way.  when the frequency is discontinued, the molecules reorient
themselves back to their original orientation.

By pulsing this frequency on and off, the water molecules "vibrate" and
the friction of the molecules as they keep moving causes heat (rub your
hands together and you will get the idea).

Ideal containers will not block the radio waves, and have a low water
content (so they do not heat up themselves stealing energy from the
cooking process).  Foods dry out because the water in them boils, and
evaporates.  Again, ideal cooking vessels will trap as much of the
moisture as possible and return it to the food.  Kinda explains why
plastics are used so often.

-- 
Kevin Fries
Senior Linux Engineer
Computer and Communications Technology, Inc
A Division of Japan Communications Inc.