>>>>> "lwb" == L W Brown <lwb@mac.com> writes:
lwb> The "light show" - sparking - demonstrates that microwave
lwb> energy is being reflected by the shiny side of the CD/ DVD,
lwb> instead of being absorbed by water molecules in the object
The microwave energy is not being "refleced." The microwave frequency
corresponds to a resonance in the water molecule, so the normal response
is, as you say and everyone knowns, to heat the food by transfering
energy to the water in the food.
The sparks are caused by the microwaves accelerating the electrons in
the conductive surface of the CD/DVD enough that the electric field can
cause breakdown of the normally insulating air and allow sparking.
Think miniature lightning.
regards,
roland
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PGP Key ID: 66 BC 3B CD
Roland B. Roberts, PhD RL Enterprises
roland@rlenter.com 6818 Madeline Court
roland@astrofoto.org Brooklyn, NY 11220
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Received on Wed Mar 15 09:12:11 2006
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