Microwaves

An Introduction to
Microwaves
• Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic
radiation with wavelengths longer than those of
terahertz (THz) wavelengths.
• Electromagnetic radiation is transmitted in the
form of waves or particles and at various
wavelengths and frequencies, known as
the Electromagnetic spectrum.
• They go in the order of decreasing wavelength
and increasing energy and frequency.
 Properties of
Microwaves
• They are reflected by metal surfaces.
• They heat materials if they can make atoms or molecules in
the material vibrate. The amount of heating depends on the
intensity of the microwave radiation, and the time that the
material is exposed to the radiation.
• They pass through glass and plastics.
• They pass through the atmosphere.
• They pass through the ionosphere without being reflected.
• They are absorbed by water molecules, how well depends
on the frequency (energy) of the microwaves.
• Transmission is affected by wave effects such as reflection,
refraction, diffraction and interference.
Everyday things
that use
microwaves

• A MICROWAVE (yeah u
guessed it)
• Microwave ovens
• Mobile phones
• Wi-Fi
• Radar which is used by
ships, aircraft and weather
forecasters
• Satellites
                                                              
                              
•A microwave oven works by passing microwave radiation, usually at a
frequency of 2450 MHz which is a wavelength of 12.24 cm through the
food. Water, fat and sugar molecules in the food absorb the energy from
the microwave beam in a process called dielectric heating. 
•Many molecules, such as water molecules are electric dipoles, meaning
that they have a positive charge at one end and a negative charge at the
other, and so therefore rotate as they try to position themselves with the
alternating electric field caused by the microwave beam 
•This molecular movement creates heat as the rotating molecules hit
other molecules and put them into motion. Microwave heating is the
most efficient on liquid water, and much less on fats and sugars which
have less molecular dipole moment, and frozen water where the
molecules are not free to rotate 

How do microwave ovens work?

 Short Summary
• Microwaves have a shorter wavelength than radio waves.
• Via satellite TVs and other methods, people can use
microwaves as a form of communication e.g. phones. They
(microwaves) do this by passing through the atmosphere. 
• Microwaves are defined as radio waves with a wavelength in
the range of 3,000 to 30,000 MHz
• The Federal Communication Commision (FCC) in the U.S. set
up a reserved microwave frequency of 2450 MHz
• Microwave ovens use a magnetron to make microwaves that
can heat and cook food.
• It is possible to transmit data using microwaves.
• Microwaves are almost always present on the Earth's surface.
Scientists have discovered that there is a low-level of
microwaves present under normal conditions, possibly
because microwaves can easily enter the Earth's atmosphere.
Thank You for listening!