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Electromagnetic
radiation exists in a Table 1: Frequency and Wavelength Range of Each Radiation
range of frequencies Type in the Electromagnetic Spectrum.
called the
Radiation Type Frequency Range (Hz) Wavelength Range
electromagnetic
Gamma rays above 3 x 10 19
< 10 m -12
spectrum. X-rays 3 x 10 - 3 x 10
17
1 nm - 1 pm
19
Microwaves 10 - 10
8 12
1 mm - 25 um
decreases, the actual Radio waves 10 - 10
4 8
>1 mm
length of the wave gets
longer.
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History
Invented accidentally by Dr. Percy LeBaron Spencer
While testing a magnetron during work, he discovered
the candy bar in his pocket melted
Experimented with other food products (popcorn and
eggs), and realized microwaves can cook foods quickly
At 1947, 1st commercial microwave oven produced
(called Radarange)
Mostly used by restaurants, railroad cars, ocean
liners and military
Improvement and refinements made ~
by 1967, 1st domestic microwave oven
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How the Oven Works
Electricity from the wall outlet travels through the power
cord and enters the microwave oven through a series of
fuse and safety protection circuits
These circuits include various fuses and thermal
protectors that are designed to deactivate the oven in the
event of an electrical short or if an overheating condition
occurs
When the oven door is closed, an electrical path is also
established through a series of safety interlock switches
frequency.
How Foods Get Cooked
The microwaves that penetrate the food have an electric field
that oscillates 2.45 billion times a second, a frequency that is
well absorbed by polar liquid molecules such as water, sugars,
fats and other food molecules.
Water interacts with the microwave:
flipping its orientation back and forth very rapidly
bumping into one another and producing heat, cooking the food.
Glass, paper, ceramic, or plastic containers are used in
microwave cooking because the microwaves pass through
them
Metal reflects microwaves
Unsafe to have metal pans/aluminum foil in oven, may damage oven
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Health Hazards
It is known that microwave radiation can heat body tissue the
same way it heats food.
Exposure to high levels of microwaves can cause a painful
burn
Ex. the lens of the eye ~ exposure to high levels of microwaves can
cause cataracts.
Microwave oven used low level of microwaves, within the
region of non-ionizing radiation
Still uncertain in the effects of humans from long term
exposure to low level of microwaves
Still experimenting
Best to stay a way (an arm’s length) in reducing exposure to
microwaves
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References
1. Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
http://www.dal.ca/~ehs/files/microwave.safety.pdf