Why cant you use metal containers in a microwave oven when its insides are made of metal?
Microwave ovens use a magnetron to generate strong electric waves at a radio frequency of around 2.5 gigahertz; this means that the wave vibrates 2.5 billion times per second. Radio waves in this frequency range are absorbed by water, fats and sugars (and converted directly into atomic motion = heat) and are partially absorbed by most plastics, glass or ceramics. Microwaves essentially use the moisture in food to heat it up, H2O has very few electrons and the whole water molecule is shaken (resonance) by the electric wave (vibration = heat) so the water and surrounding food is heated up. Metals on the other hand are packed with electrons which can move freely. Because these electrons carry current, metal is good conductor of electricity. In a microwave these electrons vibrate, shielding the food inside from the radio waves by reflection. Some electrons move too quickly and jump from inside the metal into air outside. This is electronic discharge. If a metallic container is close to the
