Asked by ZOOIE

How do microwaves heat food?


By conduction


By removing water molecules from the food


By exciting the water molecules inside food

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All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Correct answer: By exciting the water molecules (and other polar/ionic components) inside the food.

Explanation: Microwave ovens emit electromagnetic waves (about 2.45 GHz) that interact with polar molecules like water. The alternating electric field makes those molecules try to reorient rapidly; their motion and collisions with neighboring molecules convert that electromagnetic energy into thermal energy (dielectric heating). Heat then spreads within the food partly by conduction. Microwaves do not primarily “remove” water (though prolonged heating can cause evaporation/drying).