The microwave oven cavity refers to the interior space or chamber inside a microwave oven where the food is placed and cooked. It is the area that is exposed to the microwave radiation generated by the oven's magnetron.
The cavity is designed to be reflective to microwave energy, allowing the microwaves to bounce around and penetrate the food from various angles. This bouncing and scattering of microwaves help to ensure more even and efficient cooking of the food.
Microwave oven cavities are typically made of metal, which is a good conductor of microwaves. The walls, ceiling, and floor of the cavity are made with a metal coating or lining, which reflects the microwaves inward, preventing them from escaping outside the oven.
The turntable or microwave tray, found at the bottom of the cavity in many microwave ovens, rotates to ensure even cooking, as it helps distribute the microwave energy more uniformly throughout the food.
The safety of the microwave oven cavity is of utmost importance to prevent microwave leakage. The oven's door and seals should be in good condition, and safety interlocks should function correctly to stop the microwave from emitting microwaves when the door is opened.
Remember, it's essential to use microwave-safe containers and follow the manufacturer's instructions when using the microwave oven to ensure safe and effective cooking.