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Re: Nuking Mold



Microwaves work (according to a chemistry lecture heard over 2 years ago,
so correct me if I've gone fuzzy) because the length of the
electromagnetic wave is just right to set the bonds in water molecules
vibrating in sympathy, which heats up any water in the object and turns it
into steam.  That's why if you microwave a cheese sandwich to pretend it's
grilled cheese, the bread gets all steamy.  That's also why it's good for
heating food rapidly; it causes ultra-fast heating of the water component,
which in food is large. Likewise, it is a virtually useless way to heat
anything with a limited water component, such as mold spores which have
dried out, or tinfoil.  I suppose prolonged microwaving could also damage
any hydrogen-oxygen bond of length comparable to the H-O bond in water,
such as an alcohol bond, but I'm talking through my hat here.  Someone
call up their buddy over in the chemistry department.

Sarah Boling
New England School of Law Library
sboling@nesl.edu

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