We're sunsetting PodQuest on 2025-07-28. Thank you for your support!
Export Podcast Subscriptions
cover of episode Why does the bowl get hotter than the food in the microwave?

Why does the bowl get hotter than the food in the microwave?

2025/2/19
logo of podcast Moment of Um

Moment of Um

AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
A
Anna Wegel
M
Matthew Katz
Topics
Anna Wegel: 我经常遇到一个困扰,就是从微波炉里取出食物时,碗烫得要命,但食物却冰凉。这让我百思不得其解,为什么会发生这种情况呢?难道微波炉的工作原理是反过来的吗?我一直以为微波炉是用来加热食物的,但为什么碗会比食物更热呢?这简直太奇怪了!我希望能够找到答案,解开这个谜团,这样以后使用微波炉时,我就不会再感到困惑了。我想要了解微波炉加热的原理,以及为什么碗和食物的温度会有如此大的差异。希望通过了解这些,我能够更好地使用微波炉,避免再次遇到这种情况。 Matthew Katz: 微波炉之所以能够加热食物,是因为它利用无线电波来激发食物中的水分子。当微波炉工作时,它会产生一种电磁场,这种电磁场会使食物中的水分子开始震动。水分子在震动过程中会产生热量,从而使食物的温度升高。而陶瓷或玻璃等材料,通常不会被微波炉所影响,因为它们不含水分子或含水量极低。但是,有些陶瓷制品如果未经过充分烧制,它们可能会吸收水分。当这些陶瓷制品放入微波炉中时,它们吸收的水分也会被激发,从而导致陶瓷制品本身也变热。因此,微波炉加热食物时,碗比食物更热的原因,可能是因为碗本身吸收了水分,并在微波炉中被加热。

Deep Dive

Chapters
This chapter explores the science behind why microwave bowls sometimes get hotter than the food inside. It explains how microwaves heat water molecules and how some ceramics absorb water, leading to heating.
  • Microwaves heat food by exciting water molecules.
  • Some ceramics absorb water, which then heats up in the microwave.
  • Vitrified ceramics, like well-fired clay, don't absorb water and therefore don't get as hot.

Shownotes Transcript

If you’ve ever grabbed a flaming hot bowl of soup out of the microwave and then slurped a spoonful of icy liquid from the middle of it, you’re not alone. In fact, it feels like one of life’s great mysteries! Why does this happen to food in the microwave? We asked ceramic artist Matthew Katz to help us find the answer.

Got a scalding hot question? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact), and we’ll *bowl *you over with the answer.