A 13 year-old girl decided to make herself a cup of hot chocolate. She used the microwave to heat her mug of water, which is something I'm sure all of us have done.
When the timer went off, she removed the cup from the oven. Just as she noticed the water was not boiling, the water in the cup 'blew up' into her face. Nothing happened to the cup, until she dropped it and it broke. It seems the water had exploded in her face because of some kind of energy build-up. Her whole face blistered and she suffered 1st and 2nd degree burns to her face that will probably leave scarring. There is also a chance she may have lost partial site in her left eye.
While at the hospital, the doctor who treated her explained that this happens a lot and water (alone) should never be heated in the microwave. If you absolutely have to heat water in a microwave, something should be placed in the cup to diffuse the energy such as a wooden stir stick, tea bag, etc. From the sounds of it, using a tea kettle or even a pot would be a safer choice.
This is so true. My mum always tells me to put a saucer in with a cup of water or this will happen. It's scientifically proven.
Kidz Submit By:
Nickname: ailsi
Age: 16
Hey, it's true. When the radioactive waves from a microwave hit the water (which has to be tap water) it makes it boil. If anything touches it, then it causes the water to explode. I learned it from the internet after watching an episode of Myth Busters.
Kidz Submit By:
Nickname: 1ofakind
Age: 14
What do you think? Does water really "blow up?" Take our poll to see what others think or
Last week I wrote about a Chemistry Final where two guys were put to the test. Did you believe it really happened? The story is based on a real incident but the version you read is an exaggerated one that's been passed around for over three years.
Here are last week's poll results:
Believe It or Not?
This never happened! 5%
This really happened. 91%
I don't know. 3%
