An easy to understand explanation of how microwaves work

In Randall Munroe's new book "Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words," he breaks down how complex machines work using only the thousand (or, ten hundred) most common words in the English language.

Microwaves have been a staple of the American household for decades now. But how do they even work? Here's an explanation you'll actually understand.

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[thisismyrealname]

Whoever got Business Insider to actually post this is a genius.

[YoureWokeYoureBroke]

sounds more confusing with simpler words IMO

[WatchItMelt]

I have wondered this for my whole life...

[humanities]

straight to the point, no b.s to drag it on, and great info you have my like and sub

[ccwnoob]

0:57 you got the most important part wrong. the radio waves don't "push" the water. they "pull" the water. big difference because the pull is from the rapid oscillation of waves which attract (ie PULL) the magnetically bipolarized H2O molecules in varying directions thereby causing the very friction that results in heat that cooks the food. pushing never happens and completely ignores the very way the food gets cooked.

[JJ]

Most consumer microwave ovens don’t have the rotating fan like device that scatters the microwave energy throughout the oven. Most just have the turntable. Years ago some consumer microwaves had only the stirrer fan and no turn table. My parents had an old 1983 Kenmore microwave that didn’t have a turntable.

[alexteagle]

This explanation insulted my intelligence lol

[aidenlang]

This was exactly what I needed as I was sitting here thinking about how one works

[carlosvasquez]

In other words the waves directly aim towards the water molecules in food to create friction. The waves are powerful enough that cause strong friction making your food to warm up extremely fast. That’s why your plate doesn’t get warm only the food since solids don’t have water molecules. The only reason your plate is warm is because of the food.

[RileyMm]

I needed this bc I forgot that I didnt eat my dinner 💀

[Justoutdoors]

I was hoping for a more scientific explanation, you are a good teacher

[theroamingsavage]

So basically ur wifi source is cooking ur brain while u sleep

[phantomkate]

If you enjoyed this, you're really going to like the "Up-Goer Five."

[isabellam]

I chose to do a research on the microwave when I don't even own one haha

[safeppy]

Hello, this is a safe TV channel operated by the Korean government department.
I'm working on a microwave-related training content, and I'd like to ask if I can use this video.
The purpose of use is to use it as a safety education video and for non-profit purposes! :)

[bongrippa]

Always thought it was a small box with the things that are in toaster ovens behind the keys but at a higher temp pushing the heat into where the food sits. Having it spin to make every side of the food even...not even close. STILL DONT TRUST THEM!✊🏻

[Weavs]

Hey y’all let’s all go eat at the chum bucket

[tiaxanderson]

OK, now how do food-heating radio boxes without spinning food plate do it?

[AzaIndustries]

I got a microwave that has been optimised enough to ditch the rotating platform.
It's so much nicer, never going back to that old design.

[nailstrabbit]

Wow, wow, okay, easy with the fancy words einstein