This experiment is to compare how well microwave ovens and conventional ovens heat water and sand. You will need: A microwave oven,a conventional oven (gas or electric),500 ml of water, 500 ml of dry sand, two microwaveable containers (plastic or glass), two oven safe containers, about the same size as the plastic or glass containers, two thermometers.1. Preheat the conventional oven to about 100 degrees Celsius or 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure it is at full temperature before you begin.
2. Pour 250 ml of water into one of the microwaveable containers and 250 ml of water into one of the oven-safe containers.Measure and record the temperature of the water; the temperatures should be the same in both containers. If they are not, refill them with 250 ml of water that is the same temperature.
3. Pour 250 ml of sand into one of the microwaveable containers and 250 ml of sand into one of the oven-safe containers. Measure and record the temperature of the sand. The temperature should be the same for both containers.
4. Place the container of water and the container of sand in the microwave oven and run the oven at its highest power setting for two minutes. Remove the containers, and measure the new water and sand temperatures at the same time. Record your readings.
5. Put the remaining sand and the water containers in the preheated conventional oven together. Heat the two pans for about ten minutes and then remove both containers from the oven. Use both thermometers at once to quickly measure and record the temperature of the water and the sand.
6. Make a chart that lists your results. Answer these questions:
a. What was the temperature change of the water and the temperature change of the sand in each oven? Which material had the greatest increase in temperature for each type of oven? Explain your results.b. How would your results change if the water was left in the conventional oven longer? Try it.c. What kinds of foods cook best in the microwave oven, and which cook best in the conventional oven? Why?
