Name: Nguyn Hong Sn

Students ID: IEIEIU12020

Major: Industrial Systems & Engineerings

Physics 3 Assignment
Topic: The microwave oven
A. Introduction
The microwave oven (microwave) was invented by Percy Le Baron Spencer in 8/10/1945, after the
discovery of the heating property of microwave. In general, the microwave oven produces electromagnetic
waves, which has frequency found within the microwave spectrum (KHz 300MHz). This type of
microwave will make molecules in food rotate such as water. Therefore, the food will be heated up by
itself. This process is known as the dielectric heating process, it allows food to be heated more efficient
and more convenient. The microwave is an excellent household appliance based on electromagnetic waves
technology (radar technology).
There are four main parts in the microwave oven: magnetron, microcontroller, waveguide, usable space.
The Magnetron, which creates the electromagnetic waves
using to heat the food, is the most important part.

B. Principle
1/ Magnetron
The working principle of magnetron bases on the principle of
LC circuit. This LC circuit will use the alternative current to
create the electromagnetic waves. Here are the pictures of
Magnetron.

_In the magnetron, there are three main components: Anode (positive), cathode (negative) and the filament
_The different voltage between
anode and cathode is more the
2300V to create the electric field E
for controlling the electrons path
_Anode is a cylinder (empty inside).
On the wall of the anode, there are
cavities
which
increase
the
frequency from 50Hz to 2450 MHz

wavelength
approximately
122mm
_ There are 2 magnets located both
ends of the cylinder. These magnets
will create a magnetic field B to
drive the direction of the electron

So, the working of all these components

creates the electromagnetic wave with the
frequency 2450 MHz and the wavelength
of 122 mm.

2/ The heating process

The microwave is electromagnetic wave which is usually at 2450 MHz, with the wavelength of 122 mm
(that is between common radio and infrared frequency). When the microwave radiation travels to the food,
the electric field caused by the microwave will force molecules which have electric dipoles (molecules that
have partial positive charge at one end and negative at the other end) to rotate and align themsleves parallel
to the direction of the field. The electric field is alternating, thus, the molecules will constantly rotate (2.45
billion rotations/seconds). In the process, the rotating molecules will hit other molecules, setting them into
motion, releasing energy. This energy will then take the form as heat to serve the purpose of heating the
food.

C. Notice
_ Metallic tools are prohibited because they reflect the electromagnetic wave and create current inside
them, which can leads to dangerous, unwanted results. Objects with pointed metal pins or head can even
produce electric sparks, which is even more dangerous. It is recommended that using glass for cooking
with microwave due to the wage can go through the glass. Run the oven without anything inside is
dangerous. So for safety, a glass of water is recommended inside oven anytime to absorb the
electromagnetic wave. Before operating the oven, measured the door closed carefully is necessary.