PURPOSE: To demonstrate operation and experimentation with a microwave oven.

DESCRIPTION: A microwave oven is provided along with a number of accessories to carry out a variety of demonstration experiments. Some of the things that you can do include:

• Use the small neon sensors to see the standing wave patterns of the microwaves in the oven.
• Make a light bulb glow by turning on the oven.
• Create artificial lightning discharges with a candle.
• Make sparks with a CD.
• ........

SUGGESTIONS: DANGER: If you heat water, be aware that it can become superheated and EXPLODE in your face after it is removed from the oven. USE EXTREME CAUTION IN HEATING WATER.

REFERENCES: (PIRA unknown.) See the following web sites for a large range of interesting experiments to do with your microwave oven:

• Maarten Rutgers' Web page (Ohio State University professor), go to "Fun" then "Microwave."
• How Things Work, Louis Bloomfield, University of Virginia, for a course of the same name.

EQUIPMENT: Microwave oven with accessories as described above.

SETUP TIME: None.