Question

What are the uses of microwaves?

Hint:

Think of the very short wavelength: it makes microwaves ideal for RADAR, ovens and satellite communication.

Answer 1

Step 1: What microwaves are.
Microwaves are electromagnetic waves whose frequency lies roughly in the range \( 10^9 \) Hz to \( 3\times10^{11} \) Hz (wavelengths from about 1 mm to 30 cm). They are produced by special vacuum tubes such as klystrons and magnetrons.

Step 2: Main uses.
(i) RADAR systems for aircraft navigation and speed detection, because their short wavelength allows them to travel in straight lines and reflect from objects.
(ii) Microwave ovens for cooking, since microwaves are readily absorbed by water molecules in food and heat it.
(iii) Telecommunication, satellite communication and mobile phone networks for carrying signals.

\[\boxed{\text{RADAR, microwave ovens, and satellite/telecommunication}}\]