A microwave oven is a good example of a familiar device that relies on absorption of electromagnetic waves at fixed frequencies by specific elements or compounds. In this case, water absorbs strongly in the microwave band used by the device, heating water molecules in food. What might a microwave oven imply about measuring microwaves emitted by the Sun on Earth? A) Microwave radiation will be heavily absorbed in the earth's atmosphere, particular if humidity is high. B) It is irrelevant; the Sun does not emit microwaves. C) Microwaves will never make it to Earth because they will get absorbed by hydrogen between Earth and the Sun. D) Microwaves must be the major reason for global warming.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that a microwave oven relies on absorption of microwaves by water implies that microwaves emitted by the Sun on Earth will also be subject to absorption by water in the Earth's atmosphere, particularly if humidity is high. This may affect the ability to accurately measure the amount of microwave radiation emitted by the Sun reaching the Earth's surface.

A Microwave Oven Is a Good Example of a Familiar