Fly survives microwave.

[jecasc]

I just put a cup in the microwave oven to boil water for a cup of tee. I noticed a little fly in the microwave and since it wouldn't fly out I shut the door. (I waited ten seconds so I think I gave it a fair chance) After two minutes at 700W I opened the door, water was boiling wildly. And the fly? To my astonishment the fly was still alive and flew happily away.

Are flies immune to microwaves?

I tried to find an answer on google but couldn't find anything useful. Except some funny ideas on what else you can do with your microwave. (Heres the link if anybody interested: [margo.student.utwente.nl...] )

Any explanations for this "miracle"?

[kodaks]

I think I heard somewhere that flies are so small, they can sort of "dodge" the waves. I am not sure, though.

[Syzygy]

Any explanations for this "miracle"?

Yes, your microwave needs replacing...

The 'waves' are only hitting and bouncing off parts of the interior. Witness a 'dodgy' microwave where, in cooking/reheating, parts of the food are hot and others still cold.

No science offered behind this expanation - just experience...

So think of all that dodgy reheated food you've been eating of recent...!

Syzygy

[jecasc]

"Yes, your microwave needs replacing..."

But its only two months old. And was a real bargain - only 35 Euro ;-)

[edit_g]

It's something to do with standing waves and energy density varying from very high to very low in different places in the microwave. Ants, flies and other small insects can (apparently) identify and remain in one of the low energy density areas.

I remember reading about a this in a popular science a while back.

[Teknorat]

Yep- nothing wrong with the microwave. Just the fly sat happily in an area where it was unaffected. If you stick a bunch of ants in you can actually see them all go to these areas.

[edit_g]

If you stick a bunch of ants in you can actually see them all go to these areas

Tell me you haven't done this. ;)

[Teknorat]

Just once. I should point out that I was assured they would survive.

[jecasc]

Interesting. The idea with hot and cold spots sounds reasonable. After all this might be the reason why the plate is rotating inside.
So if I attached a fly to the plate or put it in a very small box so it couldn't move freely it would be toast?

Not that I'm actually gonna try ...

[Syzygy]

Well, I stand corrected...

New Scientist magazine [newscientist.com]

One certainly lives and learns on this forum..;-)

Syzygy

[jecasc]

Not that I'm actually gonna try ...

Ok... i actually did try it out. I caught a little fly in my kitchen put it in a small plastic bag so it couldn't move anymore. (The fly was sentenced to death anyway - Either the microwave or insect spray.) Put it in on the rotating table. After one minute at 700W I opened the door and - toast.

So it seems they really can dodge the waves (that is if you let them) and it has nothing to do with their anatomy or something.

[trillianjedi]

If you stick a bunch of ants in you can actually see them all go to these areas

Teknorat, remind me to turn down any dinner invitations to your place ;-)

TJ

[graywolf]

Makes me wonder what I would have tried if mircowaves were around when I was in my destructive youth phase ...

[TinkyWinky]

you can actually see them all go to these areas

That must be what my potato does every time I put one of those suckers in! ;)

[Leosghost]

microwaves can do very interesting fireworks with cd's ..for those who live in appartements without gardens ...Nov 5th and so on ;)

[defanjos]

I am going to call PETA ;)

[photon]

Shouldn't that be PETI?

[graywolf]

Shouldn't that be PETI?

Sure what about all those ant traps and roach motels I don't see people up in arms about that! ;-)

[jecasc]

Oh you never now what this PETA guys are up to. German PETA wanted a town to change its name from "Fischen" (english: fishing) to "Wandern" (english: walking).

If you don't believe me check out for yourself: [peta.de...]

You can expect big demonstrations for tommorow.

"Nuking flies - Stop it now"

[defanjos]

I hope you guys know I was just joking.

I've been known to throw in a couple of lobsters in boiling water once or twice :)

[jecasc]

I've been known to throw in a couple of lobsters in boiling water once or twice :)

I wonder what would happen to a lobster in a microwave. I doubt they can dodge the waves. ;-)

[greenleaves]

Like the story of the laddy when microwaves came out. As you might they wore pretty pricey in the begining. Well a rich old lady bought one. After bathing her dog, she was latte for dinner. She needed a way to dry her dog quickely to get out. So she tryed out the new item she bought. The dog, as you can imagin, exploded.

I am sorpriced microwaves don't have a worning: "Not apt for drying large creatures" ;)

[KeithDouglas]

Oh you never now what this PETA guys are up to.

PETA silliness from years past:
[cnn.com...]

[krieves]

I think the fly was wearing a tiny Aluminum foil hat to protect him from the radiation. :)

[photon]

You mean one of these [zapatopi.net]?

[bcolflesh]

greenleaves - more info about that popular legend:

[snopes.com...]

[greenleaves]

Very interesting link. Thank you.

[Teknorat]

Here's a fun one. Stick a light bulb in a sealable microwave proof container. (Be SURE to stick it in a container) turn off the lights in the kitchen and pop it in for 10 seconds. :D Congratulations you just saw a lightbulbs filament reach temperatures similar to those on the surface of the sun. If you let it go longer it will explode thus the container.

[Leosghost]

KeithDouglas..Thanks for the link ..but i must correct something in the article

The name came from the Dutch,

..ain't true ..its IRISH ..I come from a place which is on the border betwixt county Killkenny and County Wexford ...surrounded by place names such as Kilmecow ( there are hundreds of such names ..invented to "worry" the English into wearing Aluminium Foil Hats )..the spelling can vary from one to two "l's" depending on mood and the literacy of the sign maker ..and if I'm lucky ( we reputedly are a lucky folk ) Blobfisk or ciml will say what this prefix means and derives from in the Gaelic ..( cos I forgot exactly )...

[MatthewHSE]

I've heard that the highest rate of heart attacks in America was just after microwaves began to be popular. The elderly would wash their pets and try to dry their fur by heating them for a couple of minutes, the way they'd always used to do with the conventional oven. The pets invariably exploded, leaving the unfortunate owner naturally appalled and often heart attacks resulted. Kind of funny if it wasn't so sad.