Miata Mailing List: February 2000, Message #53

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        Miataphyles: [Especially the physics majors amongst us]

        I got the email below the other day warning me of dire injury 
from exploding water when heated in a microwave oven. As I've been doing 
just that for years, I just discounted it as just another Bullstuff Urban 
Legend/E-scare thing. But, stuff happens.

        The only way I can think that this could be possible is if the 
atmospheric pressure were somehow dramatically lower outside the 
microwave. But, even then, it would require that the appliance were gas 
tight and, AFAIK, microwave ovens are not. And, even it it were, the 
water would be likely to burst into boil the instant the door was opened 
and the inside pressure lowered . . . rather than waiting for this 
hapless boob to pick up the cup and stick his face over it, wouldn't it?

        I wonder if this is the same guy who hooked up the JATO kit to 
his Henry J.

        Keep the Revs up!
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        Phredd  ~  Klassic Red '93A  ~  "Mr.Redd"  ~  Norfolk, Va. USA

        God's Miata is Red!




        ----------------the email below-------------------


Be careful when microwaving water.

I feel that the following is information that any one who uses a 
microwave oven to heat water should be made aware of. About five days ago 
my 26-year old son decided to have a cup of instant coffee. He took a cup 
of water and put it in the microwave to heat it up (something that he had 
done numerous times before). I am not sure how long he set the timer for 
but he told me he wanted to bring the water to a boil. When the timer 
shut the oven off, he removed the cup from the oven. As he looked into 
the cup he noted that the water was not boiling but instantly the water 
in the cup "blew up" into his face. The cup remained intact until he 
threw it out of his hand but all the water had blown out into his face 
due to the buildup of energy. His whole face is blistered and he has 1st 
and 2nd degree burns to his face which may leave scarring. He also may 
have lost partial sight in his left eye.

While at the hospital, the doctor who was attending to him stated that 
this a fairly common occurrence and water (alone) should never be heated 
in a microwave oven. If water is heated in this manner, something should 
be placed in the cup to diffuse the energy such as a wooden stir stick, 
tea bag, etc. It is however a much safer choice to boil the water in a 
tea kettle. Please pass this information on to friends and family.