How does a microwave heat food?

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentChip asked me how a microwave heats food, and I said yes, which is how my life got this small.

2. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep one. A microwave oven makes invisible waves called microwaves.

3. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorInvisible waves. So it's like the fair ride they won't let you look at until you've paid.

4. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep two. The waves make the water in your food wiggle back and forth super fast.

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   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo the water's on the Tilt-A-Whirl. Inside the corn dog. Having the best day of its life.

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   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep three. All that wiggling makes heat. Per Wikipedia, it's water and other polar molecules rotating in the food.

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   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHeat from dizzy! That's why the fair always smells like hot dizzy.

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   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep four. The metal walls bounce the waves around so they stay inside. Not bumper cars, Chip.

9. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWhy does the plate spin around?

10. 

    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThat's actually the right question. The waves aren't perfectly even, so some spots get hotter.

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    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentSpinning moves the food around, so it heats more evenly.

12. 

    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentChip, that was genuinely smart. I'm a little emotional.

13. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThanks. So everybody gets a turn on the ride, and the corn dog never has to wait in line.