Sometimes science experiments are not only extremely simple, but also… delicious. An experiment to measure the speed of light using a microwave oven and a chocolate bar is going viral on Twitter. This experiment is very easy to do and you can absolutely do it yourself at home.
A chocolate bar traveling at the speed of light would be a terrifying experiment, you must be thinking. But the mechanism behind this experiment is much simpler. If you don’t like chocolate, you can replace it with a cheese bar . And both can still eat after the practice is over.
Place a chocolate bar or a piece of cheese in the microwave and turn it on for 20 seconds.
The experiment was conducted by David Berardo, a PhD student in astrophysics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. First, you need to remove the turntable in the microwave and place it in a normal dish, you need to make sure this dish will stay still when the microwave is operating. Then place a chocolate bar or a piece of cheese in the microwave and turn it on for 20 seconds, just enough to see the chocolate or cheese begin to deform.
You will see the chocolate melt in certain positions corresponding to the wavelength of the microwave emitted. And after measuring the wavelength, you multiply this number by the frequency of the furnace, the result will be approximately the speed of light . Surprise?
Measure the wavelength, you multiply this number by the frequency of the furnace, the result will be approximately the speed of light.
Most microwave ovens have a frequency marking on the back or inside of the oven. Because the waves bounce off the inside of the furnace, the numbers won’t be exact , but you’re not in the lab anyway. This experiment is mainly for your entertainment when you are stuck at home because of the pandemic, or to have fun with your children, for example. Don’t be afraid to try it, while learning and eating, your children will enjoy it!