What experiments on heating various objects in a microwave oven are not carried out! Some of them are completely harmless and the consequences of them can only be soiled walls, which will have to be washed. And some are dangerous at best for the technology itself, at worst - for the health and even life of its owner! One of the most dangerous experiments is putting a mercury thermometer in a microwave, which is strictly prohibited, as this can cause significant harm.
After putting any product into it and launching it, the following happens:
- microwave radiation is emitted, that is, short electromagnetic waves moving at light speed;
- they penetrate into water molecules, contributing to their friction, the energy received from this heats the product;
- this principle occurs at a depth of about one to three centimeters. Further, to the center, high temperature is due to thermal conductivity.
At what temperature does it preheat? This indicator depends on the power level, which in standard models reaches approximately 800-1000 watts. At the maximum level, the product placed in the microwave oven can heat up to one hundred degrees per minute and, accordingly, to fifty in thirty seconds. Heating greater than 100 C usually does not occur, but, as a rule, this is not required by users.
Many may ask: "Who would ever think of doing this?" The answer is simple - most often these are children, especially those interested in scientific experiments. But even if science does not attract them, they can try to achieve a temperature increase in this way in order to simulate the disease and not go to school.
IMPORTANT! Be sure to talk with children about the dangers of any games and experiments with a thermometer, especially mercury!
So, what happens if you put the thermometer in the microwave and press "start"? There will be no expected explosions and sparks, maximum - cracks will appear on it. If this is an electronic thermometer or a room alcohol thermometer, then everything will be limited to this. The mercury will leak from the mercury, which will have a huge number of consequences.
The greatest danger to humans is mercury vapor, which is released from a thermometer broken in a microwave. Their inhalation contributes to severe poisoning, the symptoms of which are:
- general weak state of the body;
- loss of appetite;
- migraine;
- pain when swallowing food;
- taste of metal in the mouth;
- profuse salivation;
- swollen and bleeding gums;
- nausea and vomiting;
- pain in the abdomen and chest;
- mucous diarrhea, sometimes with blood;
- coughing and shortness of breath;
- chills
- fever.
In case of untimely assistance, poisoning can be fatal! Please note that the symptoms may not appear immediately, not in full and not in severe form. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you consult a doctor immediately, without waiting for a deterioration in well-being!
When collecting mercury, do not touch it with exposed skin; be sure to use rubber gloves. Balls are collected using a syringe, enema, two paper sheets, adhesive tape, adhesive tape or duct tape.
ATTENTION! Do not use a broom or vacuum cleaner for this, it helps to grind the mercury into a dust state, which will increase the risk of inhalation and make it difficult to remove!
Will the microwave break? What will happen to the thermometer?
The answer to the first question is completely optional, moreover, in most cases, after heating an electronic or room thermometer, you can use the microwave oven as before, without consequences. Of course, the thermometer itself will fail and become unsuitable for use.
If there is a leak of mercury, even after all the measures necessary for its removal have been carried out, it is necessary to consult the Ministry of Emergencies by phone “01” and conduct an environmental impact assessment. Otherwise, mercury vapor may settle on warmed-up food, leading to poisoning.
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