Random thoughts thread while microwaving dinner

[skyshrimp]

Post your drunk thoughts here (AKA, not thread worthy).

Beer induced brain fart 1.

When you microwave your dinner with clingfilm sealed over the top, the electrons in that air pocket get excited and the pocket expands (due to the air molecules moving faster right?). You get a clingfilm bulge/bubble, ready to pop if microwaved for too long.

If you take the bowl out, the air compresses so much that the clingfilm vacuums the food and becomes instantly and tightly sealed.

What happened to the air inside as it cooled slightly from that hot temp that was causing the pocket to burst? It's still virtually as hot as it was before in was heated.

I'm guessing it's something to do with water vapour.

 

[scottdave]

Post your drunk thoughts here (AKA, not thread worthy).

What happened to the air inside as it cooled slightly ...

I'm guessing it's something to do with water vapour.

Good guess...

 

[skyshrimp]

My drinking bender has extended to day 2

I'll get it tomorrow on my own, but I like to test my mettle. The air pocket was filled with 78% nitrogen. Nitrogen is comprised of 3 tightly bonded atoms and should remain in gas state. The plate of food is still tightly vacuumed after it's removed from the microwaves/heat. What happened to the nitrogen and why doesn't it fill the pocket again in gas state?

I can vision the steam from the food creating the expansion of the clingfilm, but that doesn't explain the vacuum and what happened to the nitrogen.

 

[scottdave]

My drinking bender has extended to day 2
The plate of food is still tightly vacuumed after it's removed from the microwaves/heat. What happened to the nitrogen and why doesn't it fill the pocket again in gas state?

I can vision the steam from the food creating the expansion of the clingfilm, but that doesn't explain the vacuum and what happened to the nitrogen.

Nitrogen gas is N₂, not 3 atoms.
Just a thought: Are you certain that some of the gas didn't escape the bubble? Perhaps some hissed out at the seam between the film and the bowl? The interface could reseal as the pressure inside reduces. With less actual gas molecules inside the bubble, the pressure could drop, so that the outside pressure actually pushes in on the film, creating your vacuum.

 

[skyshrimp]

I see what you're saying. It's a possibility. Some of the air might of pushed out from the edge of the clingfilm seal when the water vapour from the heated food created the bubble. When it cooled again (and the clingfilm edge is possibly sealed tight again from heat), the vapour returns to water and the space creates a vacuum.

 

[Evo]

We already have a "Random thoughts", so this is closed.