Science question about ice, a pastic cup, and a microwave?

Question

I wanted water a while back to make coffee and had none

; so I thought I'd be slick and decided 2 melt ice in the microwave LOL. It didnt melt, but the plastic cup melted insted... what happened?

Answer 1

You first have to understand how a microwave oven works.

It generates the so called microwaves (micro because they have a small wavelength), which energy is absorbed by water, sugar and fat. This energy causes the heating of the said substances, which then heats the rest of the food.

In your case, however, I'm guessing most of the ice was "covered" by the cup. Hence it is the cup that absorbed these waves, leaving the ice inside of it unattained - and the cup melted.