Microwaves Study Guide

INTRODUCTION:

We have all used microwaves in our homes to heat food, but did you know that we use microwaves do not generate thermal energy themselves? Instead, it uses electromagnetic waves to generate heat. So curious to know what are electromagnetic waves? Read on to find out!

MicrowaveSource

ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES:

Electromagnetic radiation comprises the vibration of the electric and magnetic fields. These waves travel over space carrying electromagnetic radiant energy.

Cell-Phone-Radiation-ChartSource

MICROWAVES:

  • Microwave is a kind of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from roughly one meter to one millimeter and frequencies ranging from 300 MHz to 300 GHz.
  • In microwave, the prefix micro- does not imply a wavelength in the micrometer range. Rather, it implies that microwaves are “mini” in size, i.e., having shorter wavelengths.
  • Microwaves move in a straight path, unlike lower-frequency radio waves, and do not deflect, trace the earth’s surface as ground waves, or bounce from the ionosphere.
  • Microwaves are widely employed in modern technology, including point-to-point communication lines, wireless communications, microwave radio relaying networks, radar, satellites, spacecraft transmission, medical thermography, cancer therapy, and many more applications.

MICROWAVES IN CELL PHONES:

Microwaves carry cell phone signals over the air. By altering the frequency of the waves, a mobile phone envelops the acoustics of the caller’s speech in microwaves. Frequency modulation is the technical term for this. The cellphone then sends the encapsulated microwaves over the atmosphere to a cell tower. The waves move from the cellphone tower to a switching center. They then go to a different cell tower, connected to the recipient of the person being phoned. The encoded microwaves are converted back to sounds by the receiver.

MICROWAVES IN CELL PHONESSource

MICROWAVE OVEN:

  • Microwave radiation is passed through food in a microwave oven, inducing dielectric heating mostly by absorbing the energy in water.
  • In industrial procedures, microwave heating is used to dry and cure items.

CONCLUSION

  • Microwave is a kind of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from roughly one meter to one millimeter and frequencies ranging from 300 MHz to 300 GHz.
  • Microwaves are widely employed in modern technology, including point-to-point communication lines, wireless communications, etc.
  • Microwaves carry cell phone signals over the air.

FAQs:

1. What are the three uses of microwaves?

Microwaves are utilized extensively in modern technologies, including point-to-point communication systems, wireless networks, and microwave radio relay networks.

2. What are microwaves waves used for?

One of the most popular uses of microwaves is to heat meals quickly. Microwave ovens are conceivable because microwaves can convey heat energy.

3. Why are microwaves so bad?

When used correctly, there’s nothing to worry about in terms of a microwave’s radiation, according to the World Health Organization. But care should be taken to not heat anything in a plastic container unless it’s labeled safe for use.

We hope you enjoyed studying this lesson and learned something cool about Microwaves! Join our Discord community to get any questions you may have answered and to engage with other students just like you! We promise, it makes studying much more fun! 😎

SOURCES:

  1. The Electromagnetic Spectrum. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-physics/chapter/the-electromagnetic-spectrum/. Accessed 10 Feb 2022.
  2. Uses of microwaves: https://www.ck12.org/physics/microwaves/. Accessed 10 Feb 2022.
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