Explode a Grape in the Microwave
Have you ever put a grape in the microwave? Probably not. However, when grapes do get put in the microwave, it can create what appears to be a huge fireball! This experiment is quick, simple, and cheap, and it has super-cool results.
Steps
- Put a grape on a plate. Take a green grape and place it on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cut it in half - almost. Carefully cut the grape down the center, leaving a thin bit of skin in between the two halves so that the two halves are still connected. Leave the grape partially connected because the water in the skin between the two halves is what creates the "plasma fireball".
- Place the plate in a microwave. Put the plate in a microwave operating at 2.5 GHz or more, which is the usual frequency.
- Turn on the microwave. Turn the microwave on for approximately 10 seconds. Watch and be amazed.
Tips
- The grapes should look like this \_/\_/ from the side.
- If it still doesn't work, you may need to move it to a different spot in the microwave. Some microwaves have "hotspots" that are exposed to more energy than other spots, so try to find one of those.
- This might not work on the very first grape you try. Try it plenty of times before giving up.
Warnings
- This may leave the microwave in a mess and/or damage the microwave.
- Do this under adult supervision only.
Things You'll Need
- Grapes
- Knife
- Plate
- Microwave
