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Science in the Microwave

Sunda666 writes "I have just hit this site which describes in detail how to build an one-atmosphere plasmoid using ordinary stuff and a microwave oven. Interesting thing, i'll try it as soon as I get a spherical glass vessel like that ;-)"

11 of 95 comments (clear)

  1. You don't need a "vessel" and this is old news by a3d0a3m · · Score: 5, Informative

    This has been done before, and posted to slashdot before. You can do it without the glass vessel. There's an old quickies here that shows how to do it without the vessel.

    Adam

    1. Re:You don't need a "vessel" and this is old news by garglblaster · · Score: 5, Informative
      Here is another page which has been around for a few years now:


      the "funny things to do with your microwave oven" page

      I like the one with the CDs !!

      --

      perl -e 'printf("%x!\n",49153)'

    2. Re:You don't need a "vessel" and this is old news by BlueUnderwear · · Score: 4, Informative
      You can do it without the glass vessel.

      Yes, but without a glass vessel, the ball lightning will be too short-lived. Indeed, due to higher temperature, it raises up, and as soon as it reaches the metal ceiling of the nuker, it collapses. The glass vessel makes sure that it can get to the metal, and hence it will stay longer (contact with glass doesn't make the plasmoid collapse, because glass doesn't conduct electricity).

      I just wonder whether the shape is important, or whether an inverted drinking glass would also do the job.

      --
      Say no to software patents.
  2. Don't Forget Kids... by Greyfox · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is extremely hazardous and should never be tried at home. That's what the microwaves at work are there for!

    --

    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

  3. Just as much fun... by Deltan · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Take a non conductive container and fill it part way with water. Take your standard every day 60 Watt light bulb and submerge the threaded end into the water. Put the container into the microwave & turn it on.

    Fun light show...wheee!

  4. Seen this before, be carefull! by j3110 · · Score: 5, Informative

    I was going to try this a year ago, but decided that I didn't really need a darwin award :) You can do it with any glass bowl and anything that burns in any microwave that you feel safe doing it in :) The brown gas you see, NO2, is toxic and is found in cigarette smoke. Be careful, it's arguably the most harmful substance in cigarettes. Not good for the atmosphere either :) I really don't think there is that much in cigarettes, and I would urge anyone foolish enough to do this (like me after a few drinks) to NOT breath the funky air! :)

    You have been warned! :)
    http://www.epa.gov/oar/aqtrnd95/no2.html
    bad stuff really :) when it dissolves in your lungs, it's likely to make nitric acid, which is like to make your lungs liquid if you breath too much.

    --
    Karma Clown
    1. Re:Seen this before, be carefull! by The+Bungi · · Score: 5, Funny
      bad stuff really :) when it dissolves in your lungs, it's likely to make nitric acid, which is like to make your lungs liquid if you breath too much.

      Dear Sir,

      I smoke 3 packs a day of unfiltered Camels. Does that mean I can try your experiment with alacrity?

      Please respond to me immediately.

      Sincerely,

      satamarnayananamayanapan guchanda
      sat@hotmail.com

  5. More microwave experiments by eram · · Score: 5, Informative

    Some other potentially dangerous experiments with CD:s, light bulbs and other objects in microwave owens can be found here. Looks interesting, but I personally wouldn't do that in my own kitchen.

  6. Marshmallows: poor man's plasma by Oink.NET · · Score: 5, Informative
    For an even quicker thrill, try putting marshmallows in the microwave.

    For those too lazy to actually get up, find marshmallows and find microwave, use this applet to cook them virtually, or check out this time lapse video.

    For those craving more of an intellectual thrill, find the speed of light with marshmallows using a microwave.

  7. Manufacturer Warnings of Old by MyNameIsFred · · Score: 5, Funny
    30 years ago my father owned an applicance store, back when microwave ovens were becoming popular. GE told the store owners about some neat tricks to impress the customers.

    Nothing draws them in like putting light bulbs in the microwave and letting the magic turn them on.

    Not too long after they told us how to do the tricks, GE yelled STOP. It's scaring the bejebbus out of the public. We're getting frantic calls about the death rays.

    How times have changed.

  8. Just tried it out... by BlueUnderwear · · Score: 4, Informative
    Having no suitable sperical vessel ready, I used a sawed-off plastic mineral water bottle. Having no tooth-picks ready either, I just stuck the match itself into the cork. As recommended in a previous Slashdot story about the subject, I removed the revolving plate, and put a glass of water into the back.

    First attempt: the match always went out before it could produce any plasma ball. D'oh

    Second attempt: rather than using a match, I stuck a long pencil mine into the cork, and set the oven to thirty seconds. 29 seconds of nothing. Then a loud whizz, and the time ran out before it could get any more interesting (should've set it to a minute). However, this one second of action was enough to fill the bottle with a mysterious thick white fume. Question: is this the nytrogen oxyde that the article speaks about, or was it only the plastic burning (other than the fumes, there were no obvious traces of burn on the bottle). Worrying that the fumes might be toxic, I didn't repeat the experiment.

    --
    Say no to software patents.