How Microwaves Work (part 1)

The main components of a microwave oven consists of a high voltage transformer, which passes energy to the magnetron, a cavity magnetron, a magnetron control circuit, a waveguide, and a cooking chamber.

A microwave oven works by passing non-ionizing microwave radiation, usually at a frequency of 2.45 GHz (a wavelength of 12.24 cm), through the food. Substances, such as water, fat, and sugar in the food absorb energy from the radiation in a process called dielectric heating. Microwaves in this frequency range are also not absorbed by most plastics, glass or ceramics. Metal reflects microwaves, which is why metal pans do not work well in a microwave oven.

 (to be continued…)