Microwaves and Nuclear Energy - Grannie, Radiation and the Microwave

Grannie, Radiation and The Microwave

William A. Hart Jr.

Kaplan online

Grannie, The Bomb AND The Microwave

In this paper, I will try to explain to my Grandma Pauline the difference between the waves that are used in a microwave oven and the wild nuclear radiation she fears.

Grandma Pauline has lived a long life, and her plans are to live a lot longer. She has tried to avoid the things that she think may be a threat to her. As a rule, Grandma will avoid exposure to sources of radiation. Like most folks of her age, she has grown up to fear the destructive power of radiation and has seen what exposure has done to some of her friends in the form of tumors and cancer.

Microwaves cook differently than traditional ranges and ovens. Whereas Conventional ranges cook by conduction, they pan gets heated , and the food gets hot by conduction . Microwave cooks by a different principle, microwave ovens heat food without applying external heat. Microwave energy is directed into the cooking chamber (cavity resonator )where the food is placed to be heated; the Microwaves penetrate and interact with food the molecules (which is primarily made of h2o ). These molecules resonate at the same frequency as the microwave radiation. Consequently, they produce heat by stimulating the vibration of the food molecules(Microwave energy, n.d.). In a microwave oven, a magnetron tube produces small electromagnetic waves known as microwaves, or R. F. Energy. The dish holding the food does not absorb a significant amount of energy and stays much cooler(Microwave energy, n.d.). The rate and extent of heating depend on the depth and thickness of the food, and its ability to conduct heat. Since the microwave energy