Mystery of the Microwave Bugs: How Do They Survive?

[leroyjenkens]

Whenever I cook something in my microwave, sometimes there will be a bug in it and it won't be affected by the microwave. It'll just walk around inside the microwave while the food is cooking. How is it able to do that without getting cooked itself?

Thanks.

 

[mgb_phys]

In a domestic microwave the pattern of the power isn't very even - there are hot spots and unheated spots.
That's why the have a turntable - to average out the power into the food.
The ant just stays in the cool bits and walks away from the hot spots.

If you want to test it (and make a mess) put evenly spaced chocolate chips on a plate and take out the turntable - you will see that only about half the chips are melted.

 

[astrokreng]

I find this question intriguing and worth exploring. It is indeed a mystery how certain bugs are able to survive inside a microwave while food is being cooked. To understand this phenomenon, we must first understand how microwaves work.

Microwaves work by emitting high-frequency electromagnetic waves that cause water molecules in food to vibrate and generate heat. This heat is what cooks the food. However, not all objects are affected by microwaves in the same way. Some materials, such as metal, reflect microwaves and do not absorb them. This is why we are advised not to put metal objects in the microwave.

In the case of bugs, their bodies are mostly made up of water and other organic materials. This means that they are able to absorb some of the microwaves and generate heat. However, their small size and ability to regulate their body temperature can help them survive the heat generated by the microwaves.

Additionally, some bugs, such as cockroaches, have a thick exoskeleton that acts as a protective layer against the heat. This allows them to withstand higher temperatures without getting cooked.

It is also important to note that microwaves do not evenly distribute heat throughout the cooking space. This means that there may be areas inside the microwave where the bugs are not exposed to as much heat as other areas.

In conclusion, the ability of bugs to survive inside a microwave while food is being cooked is due to a combination of factors such as their size, ability to regulate body temperature, and protective exoskeleton. However, it is still advisable to thoroughly clean and inspect food before consuming it to avoid any potential contamination from bugs.