Summary
The article explains how a microwave oven heats food by using a magnetron, a vacuum tube that generates radio frequency waves. These waves cause water molecules in the food to rotate rapidly, producing heat. The standing wave pattern inside the oven can be observed practically by melting cheese at nodes. The article also describes the working principle of the magnetron in generating these radio waves.Parts used in the Microwave Oven Heating Process:
- Magnetron (microwave vacuum tube)
- Microwave oven interior cavity
- Food containing water molecules
- Standing wave field inside the oven
Bill details how a microwave oven heats food. He describes how the microwave vacuum tube, called a magnetron, generates radio frequencies that cause the water in food to rotate back and forth.
He shows the standing wave inside the oven, and notes how you can measure the wavelength with melted cheese. He concludes by describing how a magnetron generates radio waves.
