A microwave works by focusing microwave light on the food inside of it. Which type of energy transformation takes place in a microwave?
A. Heat energy is transformed into electrical energy.
B. Light energy is transformed into electrical energy.
C. Electrical energy is transformed into light energy.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is C. Electrical energy is transformed into light energy.
A microwave oven works by converting electrical energy into microwave radiation, which is a type of electromagnetic energy. This transformation begins when electrical energy is supplied to the microwave’s magnetron, a device that generates microwave radiation. The magnetron produces microwave radiation, which is then directed into the cooking chamber where the food is placed.
The microwaves cause water molecules in the food to vibrate rapidly, creating friction that generates heat. This heat is what cooks the food. Therefore, while the microwave itself does not directly heat the food with conventional heat energy, it instead uses electromagnetic radiation (microwaves) to transfer energy into the food.
In essence, the electrical energy powering the microwave is first converted into microwave radiation, which is a form of light energy. This microwave radiation then interacts with the food to generate heat, thus cooking the food.
Microwave ovens rely on this energy transformation because it is highly efficient for quickly transferring energy into food. The electrical energy from the power source is used to generate the microwave radiation, which is absorbed by the water, fat, and other molecules in the food. This is why microwave ovens are able to cook food faster than conventional ovens, which rely on heating elements to generate heat directly.