Cellphone rings inside microwave oven

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    Microwave oven Rings
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SUMMARY

Cellphones can ring inside microwave ovens because the frequencies they operate on (GSM at 900/1800 MHz in Europe and 950/1900 MHz in the US) are lower than the microwave frequencies (around 2.4 GHz) used by the oven. This allows cellphone signals to penetrate the microwave's Faraday cage, which is designed to contain microwave radiation but is not effective against all radio frequencies. While the cellphone can detect incoming calls, it cannot effectively transmit or receive voice communication while inside the oven.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of GSM frequency bands (900/1800 MHz, 950/1900 MHz)
  • Knowledge of microwave oven operation and frequency (2.4 GHz)
  • Familiarity with Faraday cage principles
  • Basic concepts of radio wave propagation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of Faraday cages and their effectiveness against different frequencies
  • Learn about the frequency bands used by various communication technologies, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
  • Explore the physics of microwave radiation and its interaction with materials
  • Investigate the design and safety standards of microwave ovens
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for electrical engineers, telecommunications professionals, and anyone interested in the interaction between microwave technology and radio frequency communications.

SciencePF
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Why a cellphone rings inside microwave oven? Does the microwave oven don't block cellphone radiation?
 
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cellphone frequencies are much higher than microwave frequencies hence they penetrate through the faraday cage in the microwave. hell I've seen cell phone calls go through a lab faraday cage.
 
Actaully they are lower.
Most oven operate around 2.4Ghz. (Not only is this convenient for water molecules in food but because there weren't any communications systems at this frequency.
Unfortunately because there weren't any exisitng communications standards using this - it was also chosen for bluetooth and Wifi.)

GSM phones operate at 900/1800 Mhz in Europe or 950/1900 in the US.
The reason your phone rings is that it is very good at picking up extremely weak signals, at least to be able to detect a call. It might not be able to transmit/recv voice while in the oven - try getting inside the oven and answering it.
 

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