Can I do this in my microwave?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the safety and feasibility of conducting various experiments in a microwave, including the creation of plasma and other unconventional uses. Participants share personal experiences, raise safety concerns, and debate the implications of such experiments.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express curiosity about the potential for creating plasma in a microwave and share personal experiments, noting the need for specific container sizes.
  • Others caution against the dangers of using a microwave for experiments not intended by its design, emphasizing the risk of explosions and other hazards.
  • A participant mentions a previous thread on similar microwave experiments, suggesting that there have been humorous outcomes in the past.
  • Some participants question the scientific merit of simply placing items in a microwave without meaningful observations or measurements.
  • There are mixed reactions regarding the safety of such experiments, with some claiming that no serious danger exists while others strongly advise against it.
  • A participant reflects on the potential for dangerous reactions and seeks further insight into the risks involved.
  • Concerns are raised about the motivations behind extreme science experiments at home, with references to online resources that warn against such activities.
  • One participant humorously suggests that the thread could produce candidates for the Darwin Award due to the reckless nature of some experiments discussed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the safety and validity of conducting experiments in a microwave. There are competing views on the potential dangers and scientific value of these activities.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include a lack of rigorous scientific methodology in the experiments discussed, dependence on personal anecdotes, and unresolved questions about the specific reactions that may occur in a microwave.

Mk
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http://jnaudin.free.fr/html/oa_plasmoid.htm
Is this possible, is it safe?

What are some fun things to do in your microwave? What would happen if I put a golfball in?
 
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I didn't bother to read your post, but knowing you and reading the title, I advise against it.
 
lol

I just put a potato chip bag in the microwave (I ate the chips) for four seconds. It was pretty darn cool. I highly recommend it!
 
Nothing much would happen to a dry golfball. If wet the water will heat up and go away as steam and then the dry golf ball will cool down.
Microwave heating requires some movable and excitable atoms in in water and liquids.
Right?
 
Well, if you want to heat it, but I'm not going for making it hot, I'm going for ARCING and sparking in EXPLOOOSHIONS!
 
what an interestingly dangerous hobby you have, let's hope you don't progress onto animal experimentation involving microwaves
 
Um, Mk, there was a microwave thread on here already, in general physics, I think. There were shenanigans. Hilarity did ensue. Check it out.

Oh, right, microwaves in physics doesn't narrow the search much. I found it. Ah, I'm so thoughtful. :smile: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=49340

Don't forget your safety goggles! :cool:

Edit: Oops, I thought this was in GD.
 
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I am looking for some Physics content in this thread. Just sticking something in a microwave does not constitute physics. How about some meaningful observations or perhaps a measurment? Otherwise this will be moved to GD.
 
I just did it!

Well, I just did this experiment in front of my parents and I must admit, it is awesome!

I found that only a fairly large container will work. I tried a pint jar first, with no luck. Then I used a wide-mouth quart jar. This worked quite well, but I could never keep the plasma ball for more than a split second. It would move to the top of the jar and then flash away. After this, I decided to try a 1 gallon fish bowl. Unfortunately, this would not fit in my microwave.

If anyone else can try a bigger container, please try it and let me know what your findings are. I'm curious as to whether or not the duration, or even size, of the plasma is directly dependent on the size of the container being used.
 
  • #10
I nearly whack my head off in an accelerator experiment(non-nuclear) involving rapidly accelerating masses. I can tell you this:

ANY experiment involving extreme physics can be dangerous or lethal. I would bet that you had your face less than 2-feet from the microwave door.
Look, home microwave ovens are NOT DESIGNED TO CONTAIN a possible catastrophic explosion. As your first experiment succeeded, you will undoubtedly attempt to "push the limit" and see what can happen with other substances and/or arrangements within your home microwave oven.

Please... consider the very real dangers you place yourself in.
 
  • #11
pallidin said:
I nearly whack my head off in an accelerator experiment(non-nuclear) involving rapidly accelerating masses. I can tell you this:

ANY experiment involving extreme physics can be dangerous or lethal. I would bet that you had your face less than 2-feet from the microwave door.
Look, home microwave ovens are NOT DESIGNED TO CONTAIN a possible catastrophic explosion. As your first experiment succeeded, you will undoubtedly attempt to "push the limit" and see what can happen with other substances and/or arrangements within your home microwave oven.

Please... consider the very real dangers you place yourself in.

I don't fully understand the reactions that take place. Is there a chance of a serious, dangerous reaction?

All insight is greatly welcome,
-Zach
 
  • #12
Zach, your scientific interest is commendable, however, the apparatus used is not designed to explore plasma phenomenon. It's designed to cook food.
Yes, there are SIGNIFICANT potential dangers if you alter its designed role.

Mostly, Zach, this does not come from tried and proven simple home microwave experiments, rather from people trying to see "what can happen" if they change something in an effort to "elevate" the experiment. Your mind is curious enough that this could happen, forgeting all along that the home microwave oven is not designed to handle extreme events.
 
  • #13
pallidin said:
Zach, your scientific interest is commendable, however, the apparatus used is not designed to explore plasma phenomenon. It's designed to cook food.
Yes, there are SIGNIFICANT potential dangers if you alter its designed role.

Mostly, Zach, this does not come from tried and proven simple home microwave experiments, rather from people trying to see "what can happen" if they change something in an effort to "elevate" the experiment. Your mind is curious enough that this could happen, forgeting all along that the home microwave oven is not designed to handle extreme events.

Thanks. I'll let the microwave stick to its native job. Now, it's dinner time. I'm going to go warm up some fettucini alfredo :smile:
 
  • #14
Is it ture that the author of hyperspace buit his own particle acceltor around the football field of his school?

I would take pallidin's advise of not performing any extrme secience experments at home.I see a lot of these sites about buiding you nuclear rector or particle acceltor or somthing like that.Those sites seem like there written by collage students who are in the frist year of physics.
You might want to read these before doing experment like that
http://rabi.phys.virginia.edu/HTW/microwave_ovens.html
http://www.amasci.com/weird/microwave/voltage3.html
http://home.cvc.org/microwaves/microexp.htm
 
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  • #15
pallidin said:
Zach, your scientific interest is commendable, however, the apparatus used is not designed to explore plasma phenomenon. It's designed to cook food.
Yes, there are SIGNIFICANT potential dangers if you alter its designed role.

Mostly, Zach, this does not come from tried and proven simple home microwave experiments, rather from people trying to see "what can happen" if they change something in an effort to "elevate" the experiment. Your mind is curious enough that this could happen, forgeting all along that the home microwave oven is not designed to handle extreme events.

Really, pallidin. You are ruining my ambition.

I've always wanted to nominate someone for the Darwin Award. After reading this thread, I am THAT close to having one, possibly two, candidates. So back off, OK? Let Mother Nature takes its course.

:)

Zz.
 
  • #16
Oh my god, I didn't think anybody would do it. This guy lived! Proof that it is not dangerous! Hope I come back tomorrow!
 

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