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Thin metal in a microwave oven
Microwaves are reflected by metal.
However, they still transfer energy to it. The changing electric
field in the microwave can cause currents to flow inside of something
metal. If the object is small and thin it will take less
energy from the microwaves to heat up. The rising
temperature of the object is an indication of how much energy the
electrons have. A very hot object's electrons have enough energy
to leave the surface of the object and cause sparking or electric
arcing-where electricity goes from one conductor to another through the
air. A CD is coated with a thin sheet of metal that heats up very
quickly, producing an impressive light display.
This CD was microwaved. The heat produced on its surface broke
apart the metal coating and ruined the CD-a good reason not to put your
food on aluminum foil when you microwave it.
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