9 votes

Why a grape turns into a fireball in a microwave

Posted by asteroid
Tags: physics, fruit, grapes, cooking, microwave, energy, plasma, appliances.kitchen, microwaves, food, author.sophia chen, source.wired, paywall
https://www.wired.com/story/why-a-grape-turns-into-a-fireball-in-a-microwave/

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Authors
Sophia Chen, Rhett Allain, Matt Simon, Alex Baker-Whitcomb, Daniel Oberhaus, Adam Rogers, Meredith Fore
Word count
898 words

7 comments

  1. [7]
    cfabbro
    Link
    Oddly enough, NileRed recently did a video on this phenomena too... although he focused on investigating what causes/comprises the plasma when matches and aluminum are used as the source, since...

    Oddly enough, NileRed recently did a video on this phenomena too... although he focused on investigating what causes/comprises the plasma when matches and aluminum are used as the source, since Veritasium had already thoroughly covered grapes.

    6 votes
    1. [6]
      jgb
      Link Parent
      I really enjoyed this video. NileRed is all the bits of school chemistry I liked, without all the bits I didn't (electrode potentials, thermodynamics, memorizing colours of various metal salts).

      I really enjoyed this video. NileRed is all the bits of school chemistry I liked, without all the bits I didn't (electrode potentials, thermodynamics, memorizing colours of various metal salts).

      2 votes
      1. [5]
        cfabbro
        Link Parent
        If you like NileRed, I can probably recommend a bunch of other similar/related chemistry channels you may also find interesting as well, if you would like. E.g. NurdRage, who goes way more...

        If you like NileRed, I can probably recommend a bunch of other similar/related chemistry channels you may also find interesting as well, if you would like.

        E.g. NurdRage, who goes way more in-depth than NileRed, but does similarly fascinating stuff, IMO.

        1 vote
        1. asoftbird
          Link Parent
          Thought Emporium is really good as well, though more biomedically oriented. Another really good channel is Applied Science, which is not just chemistry but electronics and physics as well. Usually...

          Thought Emporium is really good as well, though more biomedically oriented.

          Another really good channel is Applied Science, which is not just chemistry but electronics and physics as well. Usually very in-depth and expansive, with unusual topics and interesting technologies.

          NileRed's voice gets on my nerves quite easily and l much prefer NurdRage's voice(which is funny as the latter uses a very obvious voice changer to stay anonymous).

          2 votes
        2. [3]
          jgb
          Link Parent
          I'd be interested to take suggestions. I haven't probed any further than NileRed and Cody's Lab, which are about as entry-level as it gets :-) Bookmarked NurdRage to check out. I've heard the name...

          I'd be interested to take suggestions. I haven't probed any further than NileRed and Cody's Lab, which are about as entry-level as it gets :-)

          Bookmarked NurdRage to check out. I've heard the name but have not watched their videos to my knowledge.

          1 vote
          1. [2]
            cfabbro
            (edited )
            Link Parent
            Yeah, Cody is pretty great too and was going to be one of my other recommendations. But to add a few more from off the top of my head: Periodic Videos Reactions Crash Course's Chemistry series...

            Yeah, Cody is pretty great too and was going to be one of my other recommendations. But to add a few more from off the top of my head:

            Periodic Videos
            Reactions
            Crash Course's Chemistry series
            SciShow, which often covers Chemistry related topics - Playlist.
            Applied Science (who NileRed even mentioned helping him in the Plasma video) also does a lot of Chemistry & Materials Science stuff as well - Playlist

            Bonus:
            Chemical bouillon isn't really edutainment like the others, but I really enjoy it and you may get a kick out of it.

            edit: And in case you missed @asoftbird's comment, I also second the Thought Emporium recommendation as well. His latest series on genetic engineering is only just starting but looks like it will be a really interesting one.

            2 votes
            1. jgb
              Link Parent
              Awesome, cheers. Have definitely watched a couple of these but many are new to me too. Thanks also to @asoftbird for pitching in.

              Awesome, cheers. Have definitely watched a couple of these but many are new to me too. Thanks also to @asoftbird for pitching in.

              1 vote