Microwaves

Who discovered microwaves?

Percy Spencer

How do microwaves work?

A gadget called magnetron produces microwaves that are absorbed by foods. Within the foods the water molecules vibrate and produce heat.

How does the vibrations of food molecules make it heat up?

When food is exposed to microwaves the molecules vibrate 2 billion times a second. The vibration causes the friction to produce heat.

What caused Spencer to instigate?

While working near a magnetron a chocolate bar inside percy’s pocket melted. Ultimately this lead him to investigate the phenomena more.

What was Spencer’s hypothesis?

If food is exposed to the magnetron then the microwaves will cause it to heat up.

What was the 2 experiments Spencer conducted?

1. Spencer placed a pop corn kernels near the magnetron, the microwaves caused the kernel to pop.
2. Spencer placed an egg in a kettle with a side hole. The hole allowed microwaves to enter and be trapped inside. Consequently, the microwaves cause the egg to explode.

How did his experiment deviate from the traditional linear scientific methodology?

1. He created experimentations induced from his conclusion, thus created microwaves.
2. He conducted multiple experiments with different approaches- egg experiment and kernel experiment
3. He did not take safety measurements which lead to the egg exploding on one of his colleagues face.

What type of scientific methodology was used?

1. Experimental testing