EXPLOSIONS in the Kitchen

The myth of whether water will explode if boiled in the microwave has many perspectives, and is a very complicated myth. The actual myth is very hard to accomplish. In order to get water to actually explode after being boiled in a microwave, the conditions have to be exact. According to http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048953.htm, The Food and Drug Administration shares its perspective, which is that it will rarely happen. The FDA explains that if a clean, smooth cup is used to heat the water, the chances of it exploding are increased. Glass in particular will increase the risk of an explosion. Also, if anything is added to the water, there will be a lower chance that there will be a detonation. Dirtier cups actually also reduce the risk, because it prevents extreme froth and bubbling. This myth exists for several reasons. First of all, it can be proven scientifically. Secondly, there have been credible reports of it actually occurring.

This myth is directly related to science, in the sense that a chemical explosion is taking place. According to http://www.howeverythingworks.com/a>, there are a lot of scientific components to the myth. Due to the smoothness and build of glass, it is more likely to become overheated in a microwave. Dirty or imperfect cups are much less likely to produce an explosion. This can be portrayed by the very slight bubbling that occurs when sugars or additives are added to the water. The additives reduce the bubbling, which reduces the risk of an explosion. According to another credible website http://www.amasci.com/weird/microwave/voltage3.html, the water is he only thing that actually overheats. The cup, in fact, stays relatively cool. The act of 'super heating' occurs through this myth, which is when the water is not cooled by the boiling bubbles that naturally enter the water. The explosion, however, takes place when the air bubbles in the water get larger than normal and turn into froth. This explosion can get extremely violent. When something is heated in the microwave, electromagnetic waves cause magnetic and electric fields to work "perpendicular" to each other, causing the food to be heated.

An Example of "Superheated" Water



The myth of whether water can explode from being boiled in the microwave can be proven through science, experiments, and real life occurrences. According to credible sources like, http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048953.htm and http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Microwave_Ovens_and_Food_Safety/index.asp water is capable of erupting from being boiled in the microwave. After being heated at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, specialists have confirmed that water will explode. The myth of whether water will explode if boiled in the microwave has proven to be true.

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