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In the most recent _Physics Teacher_, there appeared a one-page article
which described how one could use a pan of marshmallows in a microwave oven
to determine the speed of light. The method involves measuring the
distances between hotspots or more-cooked places on the top of the layer of
marshmallows. It is asserted that this distance is the wavelength of the
microwaves. I am having trouble understanding why this is so. It seems
reasonable that a standing wave may be set up inside the microwave. It also
seems reasonable that the hot spots would correspond to the anti-nodal
points. What I don't get is why the distance between the anti-nodes should
be a wavelength. One-half wavelength makes more sense to me as the distance
between consecutive antinodes. Help me, someone, please.
I have a more fundamental question: Is the Klystron in a MW oven a
single-frequency device? If so, is it reasonable that the cavity size of
the oven is such that standing waves will be set up for this frequency?
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Van E. Neie ven@physics.purdue.edu***************************************************************
Dept of Physics PH: (765) 494-5511
Purdue University FAX: (765) 494-0706
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W. Lafayette, IN 47907-1396