It has become an essential kitchen appliance. More often than not, we use it simply to heat up our food, even though it has far more potential than that. Well, to understand the mysteries of the microwave oven one has to first come to terms with the microwave itself. So, lets go to it.
Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic energy, or radiation.
According to the electromagnetic spectrum, microwaves fall between infrared rays and radio waves. Microwaves are non ionising energy, which means that they do not have sufficient strength to dislodge electrons from atoms. This makes them far safer than ionising energy, which damages the cells of living tissue. Microwaves, then, have been seen as a safe form of energy and man has subsequently utilised their beneficial aspects. Microwaves were first used by man in the radars that were developed prior to the Second World War.