Chapter 11, Problem 21STP

To determine

To describe: The production of thermal energy inside food produced by microwaves interacting with water molecules.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Heating food using microwave is known as dielectric heating. It refers to the heating using electric field component of electromagnetic radiation due to the presence of electric dipoles in polar molecules.

A microwave oven heats and cooks food because of electromagnetic radiation. This induces polar molecules in the water molecule of food to align with the electric field and produces thermal energy in the process. This process is commonly known as dielectric heating

Conclusion:

Hence, thermal energy is produced in food by microwaves while interacting with water molecules.