Microwaves have important uses both in cooking and communication, thanks to their specific properties.
In Cooking:
- Microwave ovens use microwaves typically at a frequency of about 2.45 GHz.
- Microwaves penetrate food and cause water molecules inside to vibrate rapidly.
- This vibration generates heat, which cooks or heats the food quickly and evenly.
- Microwaves don’t heat the container much, focusing energy mainly on the food.
In Communication:
- Microwaves are used for satellite communication, Wi-Fi, and cellular networks because they can carry large amounts of data over long distances.
- They are suitable for line-of-sight communication because they travel in straight paths and can be directed with antennas.
- Radar systems use microwaves to detect objects and measure their speed and distance.
- Microwaves can pass through the atmosphere with less interference than higher frequency waves like infrared or visible light.