Why do cut grapes catch on fire in the microwave?

[ccline]

I learned that a grape cut almost in half (leave part of the skin uncut) and placed flat side down in the microwave will spark and catch fire after about ten seconds. What is it about grapes that causes this?

[CrazyCatLady]

Really, isn't the bigger question why you would put half a grape in the microwave?

[Hermann Cheruscan]

Really? I'm going to have to try it out.

[Q.E.D.]

The microwave energy induces large voltage differences across the grape-halves, and all the current trying to squeeze through the little bit of skin between them heats it up to the point of combustion. For more microwave fun, see here.

These experiments can be dangereous! Don't try them. Really. I mean it. I'm not kidding here.

[Tapioca Dextrin]

Originally posted by Q.E.D.
For more microwave fun, see here.

Why post a link that installs crap on my computer without asking?

[Q.E.D.]

Didn't install anything on mine. What did it do to you?

[Tapioca Dextrin]

It put hotbar or something

[Q.E.D.]

I don't see how. I just looked at the page source, and there's no javascript, server-side includes or anything else that can install anything. Wherever you got it, it wasn't this site.

[Squink]

It put hotbar or something

You probably picked it up elswhere. Last I checked, bbeaty wasn't a member of the axis of evil.
Here's bbeaty's link to a grape-specific site.

[bibliophage]

Originally posted by Tapioca Dextrin
Why post a link that installs crap on my computer without asking?

I really suspect it was something else. The link did nothing untoward to my computer, and I tried it with two different browsers. The site is maintained by a member in good standing, bbeaty, whom I have alerted to this issue via e-mail.

[Tapioca Dextrin]

Must have been me, but that's what happened. One of life's little mysteries.

[bbeaty]

Once you were at "Unwise Microwave Experiments" did you click on some other link on that page? There's a whole collection of links to other "microwave" websites there.

If one of them is doing weird things I'd like to know about it.

[Q.E.D.]

Hey, bbeaty. Love your site. I actually did a few of the experiments on that page.

Shhhhh....don't tell the kids

[handy]

Fun with Grapes - A Case Study
http://www.pmichaud.com/grape/

Pretty says it all.

[hobbes730]

Try putting a small foil-lined chip bag in the microwave for a few seconds. Now that's fun.

I assume no responsibility for any...unintended results...

[Meatros]

Originally posted by CrazyCatLady
Really, isn't the bigger question why you would put half a grape in the microwave?

You know, I used to do this trick all the time. I would wow my friend and amaze onlooker.


Notice I didn't put an "S" on the end of either of those....

My "tricks" didn't amuse

[Squink]

Originally posted by Meatros
My "tricks" didn't amuse

Steel wool, or a 60 watt lightbulb would have !
Ooooh, Aaaaah, Eeek

[3.885AM]

Can you say "dipole antenna" sure you can. Next try an old cd (AOL works best) WARNING MESSY AND DANDEROUS DO NOT ATEMPT WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISSION!