cross-posted from: https://reddthat.com/post/20260613
this post was submitted on 09 Jun 2024
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i don't have a microwave, but isn't there a chance water can "overheat" in the microwave and instantly, explosively vaporise when you put something in? is this just super rare, so nobody cares?
Technically? Yes. Practically? No.
You'd have to be trying to microwave distilled water to even have a shot.
And it has to be in a perfectly clean container with a pristine surface, like a glass beaker.
Technically, yes.
I think the scenario would require you to heat up pure H20 in a perfectly clean non porous glass. The H20 would not bubble and boil so the temperature would raise above the boiling point.
Once anything is introduced, like a spoon or a tea bag, into the liquid it would explode with steam and super hot water.
I'm sure someone smarter than me could explain it more better.
the water and the container would need to be very clean and the container would need to be very smooth and free of surface defects for that to happen. even microscopic cracks or scratches in glazing or glass can act as a highly effective starting point for boiling.
think scraping over the bottom of a glass with a spoon: that might be enough already to create those kinds of scratches.
I've never had water explode in a microwave. Never had a potato explode in the microwave either.
😱 that's a thing too? i should buy a helmet in case i want to use the office microwave again