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)It is irrelevant; the Sun does not emit microwaves.
B)Microwaves must be the major reason for global warming.
C)Microwave radiation will be heavily absorbed in the earth's atmosphere,particular if humidity is high.
D)Microwaves will never make it to Earth because they will get absorbed by hydrogen between Earth and the Sun.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that a microwave oven heats food by absorbing microwaves suggests that microwaves will be absorbed in the Earth's atmosphere, especially if humidity is high. This means that measuring microwaves emitted by the Sun on Earth may be difficult because the Earth's atmosphere will absorb some of the radiation. Option A is incorrect because the Sun does indeed emit microwaves. Option B is incorrect because microwaves are not the major reason for global warming. Option D is incorrect because the distance between the Earth and the Sun is so vast that hydrogen absorption is not a significant factor.

A Microwave Oven Is a Good Example of a Familiar