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This study investigates the optimal positioning of food in a microwave to enhance energy transfer efficiency. Utilizing a "Kill-A-Watt" meter to measure microwave power and a thermocouple to record the temperature increase in water, the analysis reveals that items placed near the microwave emitter in the back right corner heat more quickly. The findings suggest that the turntable aids in distributing microwave energy evenly, making the microwave more effective when food has a larger surface area for absorption. Special thanks to Kevin Cole for equipment support.
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Microwave Efficiency Larry Moore ME 340 Fall 2010
Goal Find the best place to put your food in the microwave for optimal energy transfer Method Use a “Kill-A-Watt” meter to measure power to the microwave and a thermocouple to measure water temperature increase, then calculate the efficiency Assumptions Assume only microwave energy transfer, ignore any other forms of heat transfer
Results Explained • The emitter is in the back right side of the microwave unit. Objects placed in front of the emitter heat the fastest. • An object placed in front of the emitter will absorb a great deal of the microwave energy and prevent other objects from heating. • For the above reasons, the turntable promotes even heating by effectively spreading the microwave energy across the items being heated. • The microwave is more efficient when there is more surface area to absorb the radiation.
Notes • Interestingly, the microwave requires the same power to run no matter how much is in it • When the microwave is empty, most of the microwave energy is absorbed by the glass plate • Special thanks to Kevin Cole for the equipment