updated september 2011 measuring resolution with marshmallows experiment

Updated September 2011Updated September 2011

Measuring Resolution with Marshmallows

Experiment

Updated September 2011

Why does food cook unevenly in a microwave?

Background

cc by Niels Heidenreich


Microwaves are electromagnetic waves

cc by Lenny222


Microwaves work by causing the water, sugar, and fat in food to absorb energy.

Image by Baran Ivo


Data Analysis

We can determine the frequency of a microwaveby measuring the “energy nodes”. We will do thisby heating marshmallows.

Follow the procedure on your worksheet. Record yourresults.


Data Analysis

Compare the energy antinodes in the marshmallows to the airy patterns and limits of resolution for a light microscope

Image from MicroscopyU


Data Analysis

cc by Inductiveload

Electromagnetic radiation covers a huge range of wavelengths. Light (the part of the

electromagnetic spectrum that we can detect with our eyes) is only a small portion of this range. X-rays, light, and microwaves are all examples of

electromagnetic waves.

On the electromagnetic spectrum chart:

1. Locate visible energy wavelengths. What is the resolution limit?

2. Locate microwave energy wavelengths. What is the resolution limit?

3. What energy source emits nanoscale wavelengths? What measurement resolution is required?

4. How much smaller are nanoscale wavelengths compared to microwave wavelengths? (ratio)


This module is one of a series designed to introduce faculty and high school students to the basic concepts of nanotechnology. Each module includes a

PowerPoint presentation, discussion questions, and hands-on activities, when applicable.

The series was funded in part by:

The National Science Foundation

Grant DUE-0702976and the

Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative

Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the

National Science Foundation or the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative.


Image Credits Heidenreich, Neil. (Photographer) Croissant Fatality. Flickr. (www.flickr.com)

Microscopy U. (Designer). Airy Patterns and the Limit of Resolution. (www.microscopyu.com)

Inductiveload. (Designer). EM Spectrum Properties. Wikimedia Commons. (commons.wikimedia.org)

Ivo, Baran. (Photographer). Microwave Oven. Wikimedia Commons. (commons.wikimedia.org)


References

Davidson, Michael. Microscopy Basics: Resolution. Microscopy U. Retrieved from http://www.microscopyu.com/articles/formulas/formulasresolution.html

Goldman, Martin V. Microwaves [Online Applet Lesson]. Physics 2000. Retrieved from http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/index.pl?Page=index.pl?Type=TOC

Stauffer, Robert H. Finding the Speed of Light with Marshmallows-A Take-Home Lab (1997). The Physics Teacher. Vol. 35, April 1997. p. 231.

updated september 2011 measuring resolution with marshmallows experiment

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