Light bulbs are an interesting
application of metal in a microwave. They contain filaments-
very thin strips of metal inside the bulb. When electricity flows
in the filament it becomes so hot that
it glows and produces light. Microwaves have the same effect,
only in
more dramatic fashion. The microwaves cause the light bulb filaments
to heat up
and glow.There also can be electric arcing in between the filaments in
the bulb-a spark can be seen as charge jumps from one
point to another. Lastly, the gas inside a light bulb becomes
very hot and can glow as well.The light bulb below glowed green.
Microwaving light bulbs destroys them,
as the electrical arcing on the filaments can cause them to blow apart.
One safety note-if you microwave a light
bulb, it is advisable to also put a glass of water in the oven as well
to absorb some of the microwave energy. This will prevent it from
refl ecting back into the magnetron and destroying it. This light bulb
has yet to become hot enough to glow.
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