Microwave PhysicsMicrowaves are used in our daily lives, but most people don't realize that physics plays an important role in a simple household item. Whenever we heat our food, we are unaware of the forces that cause such a thing to happen and we do not fully understand what is happening before our eyes or how our food is actually heated in such a simple and efficient way. People need to understand that microwaves are actually electromagnetic waves. Wavelengths and frequencies range from 300 MHz to 300 GHz, but the average home or restaurant microwave operates at frequencies around 2.45 GHz. Microwaves consist of a waveguide, a magnetron, a fan, a power supply and a turntable with the base plate. These items help create the magical ability to heat our food and each serves a different purpose. The magnetrons are the ones that create the waves and power the waveguide in the cooking chamber. Most microwaves are created in a cuboid shape and create a chamber where they have metal walls and therefore act like a Faraday cage which is an enclosure created by a conductive material. Metal grilles also cover the front door, which is made of glass, and the light bulb cavity. Turntables are also found in almost all microwaves, which help them ensure that all foods are heated evenly. To get the best possible way to heat your meals, the microwave does not use solid-state devices. Instead, electron beams originate from tubes under the combined effect of electric and magnetic fields which are caused to bend and follow trajectories. Magnetrons are also primarily used in microwave ovens and that changed everything. In 1921 it was first discovered and used and over the years... middle of paper ... the waves actually reflect off the metal. This can be particularly serious if you have a metal container, with which the food will not be able to heat because the metal reflects all the microwaves and leaves the food cold. The biggest problem is that it is possible for the microwaves to be reflected back to the magnetron, which can cause permanent damage to it. Despite some disadvantages of using a microwave, there are no others that will cause you to stop. use it. The microwave has become a staple in every American home and it allows people to feed their families every day and, thanks to physics, helps feed millions of people in the United States. Now that you have gained all this knowledge, perhaps you will appreciate physics more and think about how it affects your microwave every time you decide to reheat your cold pizza..