How do microwave ovens work?

[Zellmer, Robert]

I mentioned rotational and vibrational degrees of freedom in molecules back
in Chapter 19 when discussing entropy.  This also is related to how microwave
ovens work.

The electromagnetic radiation produced by the microwave oven causes the
molecules to rotate and the bonds to vibrate as energy of the molecules inc.
These motions cause the molecules to heat up causing the food to be heated.
The water content plays a big role in how the food heats, although it's not the
only thing affected.  Here's some links explaining this.  Interestingly, the first
food cooked in a microwave oven was popcorn.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_oven

https://van.physics.illinois.edu/qa/listing.php?id=821

https://www.explainthatstuff.com/microwaveovens.html

Dr. Zellmer

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