When you put something in the microwave, the food gets hot while the microwave-safe plate remains relatively cool. This phenomenon occurs due to the way microwaves interact with different materials.
Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic radiation, specifically radio waves, that excite water molecules and other polar molecules in food. When microwaves pass through the food, they cause the water molecules to vibrate rapidly, generating heat through molecular friction. This heat then transfers to the rest of the food, effectively cooking it from the inside out.
However, microwave-safe plates are designed to be transparent to microwave radiation, which means they do not absorb the microwaves. Instead, they allow the microwaves to pass through without interacting significantly with the material. As a result, the plate remains relatively cool, and most of the microwave energy is absorbed by the food.
It's essential to use microwave-safe dishes and containers because materials that are not microwave-safe can absorb microwave energy and become very hot. Non-microwave-safe materials like metal, aluminum foil, and some plastics can lead to sparking, fires, and damage to the microwave oven.
Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for the types of materials that are safe to use in the microwave to ensure safe and efficient cooking.