Why can't you put metal in a microwave?

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Aaron Slepkov |

TED-Ed

• February 2024

In 1945, engineer Percy Spencer was standing near a RADAR device that produced high-intensity microwaves and noticed that his candy bar had melted. He then exposed popcorn kernels to the magnetron device, and sure enough, they popped. Soon after, the first microwave oven became available, using the very same technology. So, how does it work? Aaron Slepkov explores the science of microwave ovens. [Directed by Yuriy Polyashko, Darvideo Animation Studio, narrated by Jack Cutmore-Scott, music by Reality Check].