Can metal be placed in Microwave? Why or why not?

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Metal can be placed in a microwave if the microwave is large enough to accommodate it, but there are significant risks involved. While some sources suggest that nothing will happen, metal typically reflects microwaves, which can lead to arcing and potential damage to the microwave. The discussion highlights a common belief that metal should not be used in microwaves, but there's curiosity about scenarios where metal is surrounded by materials that absorb microwaves, such as water. This raises questions about the differences in safety between metal alone and metal in a microwave-safe medium. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for safe microwave use.
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I'm doing a physics project on microwave ovens. I've been researching online and some sites say that you can place metal in microwave ovens because nothing will happen, and some say that you can't because metal reflects microwaves. I'm curious as to what the correct answer is and why. Thanks!
 
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If the microwave is large enough to accommodate the piece of metal; yes- the piece of metal can be placed in a microwave.

That was easy.
 
That was a very clever answer. However, I would still like to know more about this concept. I've always been told not to put metal into the microwave oven, but the more I read about it, the more it seems that there is no harm in doing so. I've also read about the concept that if the metal is placed in something that can absorb the microwaves (such as a spoon in water) than there is no harm. Why is this any different than if the metal is by itself?
 

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