The microwave oven is one of the great inventions of the 20th century. Millions of homes in America have one (it is estimated that over 90% of American homes use microwave ovens for meal preparation). Microwave ovens are popular because they cook food incredibly quickly, are hassle free and are considered to be safe and more efficient than the conventional stoves and ovens, along with the fact that they consume less energy.
A microwave oven uses microwaves to heat food. Microwaves are a form of "electromagnetic" radiation/energy. A microwave is an electromagnetic wave with a frequency and a wavelength that are intermediate between those of a radio wave and those of light. An electromagnetic wave consists of both an electric field and a magnetic field. These two fields travel together in space and perpetually recreate one another as the wave moves forward at the speed of light. An electric field is a phenomenon that exerts forces on electric charges, while a magnetic field is a phenomenon that exerts forces on magnetic poles. Electric and magnetic fields are intimately connected, so that whenever an electric field changes, it creates a magnetic field and whenever a magnetic field changes, it creates an electric field. By combining a changing electric field and a changing magnetic field, the electromagnetic wave uses their abilities to create one another to form a self-perpetuating entity--the wave's changing electric field creates its changing magnetic field and its changing magnetic field creates its changing electric field. In simple words they are waves of electrical and magnetic energy (just light waves or radio waves) moving together through space. Electromagnetic radiation ranges from the energetic x-rays to the less energetic radio frequency waves used in broadcasting. Microwaves are very short waves of electromagnetic energy that travel at the speed of light (186,282 miles per second). Microwaves fall into the radio frequency band of electromagnetic radiation. In our modern technological age, microwaves are used to relay long distance telephone signals, television programs, and computer information across the earth or to a satellite in space. Whenever you see a dish antenna (a satellite dish or a communication link dish on a building or tower), you are looking at a microwave system. Astronomers use radio telescopes to look at microwave emissions from celestial objects. Radar bounces microwaves from objects to determine where they are or how fast they're moving. In the case of microwave ovens, the commonly used radio wave frequency is roughly 2,500 megahertz (2.5 gigahertz). Radio waves in this frequency range have some very peculiar and interesting properties:
Go To Page: 1 2
