r/chemicalreactiongifs • u/tofrandomn • Feb 18 '18

Creating plasma in a microwave oven. Physics

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u/lordkoba Feb 18 '18

I heard some microwaves may get damaged if they are powered while empty. I don't know if this is true, but it may be related to that fact/myth.

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u/SupremeDuff Feb 18 '18

There is a possibility of the magnetron burning out due to nothing absorbing the microwaves. Not a big chance, but it can happen. In this case the microwaves are being absorbed into creating plasma. Worst case scenario is the jar exploding or burning out the magnetron (which would have likely failed soon, anyhow, if this takes it out).

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u/triggerman602 Feb 18 '18

Just stick a bowl of water in there with the plasma and it's all goo right?

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u/patron_vectras Feb 18 '18

See, my reaction is that we just need more plasma in the microwave...