Unit 9 Microwave Technology

1. As the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave increases, what happens to its frequency?

a. It decreases

2. If a material allows microwaves to pass through it without absorbing energy or producing heat, it is classified as:

c. Transparent to microwaves

3. Molecules that lack symmetry tend to heat up how, compared to symmetrical molecules, when exposed to microwaves?

d. More quickly

4. T/F Microwave ovens naturally provide uniform heating for all specimens and reagents in the histology lab.

false

5. What is the function of placing a container of water (known as a “dummy load”) inside a microwave during operation?

a. To decrease the amount of microwave energy absorbed by the sample

6. T/F Heating two samples in a microwave takes the same amount of time as heating just one.

false

7. Which term best describes paraffin’s interaction with microwave energy?

a. Microwave transparent

8. What happens to the energy level of microwave radiation when the wavelength becomes shorter?

c. Energy increases

9. Why are microwaves commonly used in histology procedures?

a. To accelerate processing and staining steps

10. As microwaves pass through water molecules, what happens to their energy?

a. It increases as energy is absorbed

What is electromagnetic radiation?

non-ionizing radiation produced through the interaction of strong magnetic and electrical fields

What is wavelength?

the distance between one wave crest to the next

What is frequency?

the number of electromagnetic waves passing a given point in one second

What unit is frequency is expressed in?

hertz

1 Hz

1 cycle/second

Each microwave oven has a ____ that produces the microwaves.

magnetron

Things that are microwave transparent

glass, paper, plastic, wood, and paraffin

Water requires 2.2 times __ heat than an equal amount of alcohol, to heat up in a microwave.

more

T/F Molecules that are non-symmetrical will heat up faster because they are more easily rotated

true

As microwaves pass through a substance the wavelength

__))_ thus increasing the frequency and energy

decreases