Are microwaves safe?

Question

Are microwaves safe?

Answer 1

The microwave radiation produced by them is harmful and can kill you. Luckily, the designers of them aren't dumb and line the ovens with shielding. Microwaves are dangerous if pure oxygen is put into them (as it explodes magnificently) and also when sealed containers are placed into the oven. Metal in the microwave only makes electrical sparks and sometimes even plasma. This is only harmful if the metal is touching metal parts of the oven. Only crumpled foil does this.

Answer 2

For the most part yes.

but things can go wrong.  

Microwaves are radio frequencies within a certain frequency range, 300MHZ to 300GHZ.  Most microwave ovens are around 2 to 3 GHZ but limited by the FCC.  The reason why the frequency range is so tight for an oven is because it is the resonant frequency for water.  By subjecting food to microwave ovens, the water vibrates and heats up.  Like heat, another electromagnectic wave, microwaves must penetrate though the food to heat up the water.  The higher the frequency, the better it penetrates.  The higher the freqency per given wave amplitude, the higher the power required.

So what makes the microwaves dangerous?

1. the door can have a substantial opening to leak the energy.  this energy can interfere with communications or other systems (like in an airplane)

2.  if the magnetron (source of microwaves) is not affixed to the oven liner (food area cavity) properly, it will leak energy and fry a component.  If it fries the wrong component, it could start a short circuit fire.

3.  If there is enough food on the moisture cover, the food could get so hot, that it will burn and carburize, super heat, and melt the moisture cover (which is made of a naturally occuring sheets of glass).  if for some reason, there is a resonant cavity, the energy can burn through the microwave liner and start a fire.

4.  The most common danger is superheated liquids.  You can heat a cup of water past it's boiling point.  When you put your lips on it, the cup will erupt and burn your face, not just your lips.  This is very common when you heat up hard boiled egg and try to bite into it.

Answer 3

Unless you have a pacemaker, they are relatively harmless.