December 11, 2000 – Have you ever burned yourself by eating something heated a little too long in a microwave oven? A short lesson in liquid physics can save you from further burns.
Everyone knows that water heated on a stove boils, causing bubbles to burst on the surface of the liquid. Microwave-heated water also forms bubbles, but these do not always have enough energy to break the surface tension of the water. Result: you take the mug out of the microwave, add a tea bag to it, and suddenly the hot liquid forms a bubble that bursts splashing onto your hands and face.
The phenomenon caused enough burns for the US Food and Drug Administration authorities to place a warning on their website.
To avoid this unpleasant surprise, simply place a wooden stick in your cup, or wait 30 seconds before removing the cup from the appliance. And above all, never heat a cup of liquid for more than 2 minutes.
HealthPassport.net
According to Prevention, January 2001
