What happens if you heat a thermometer in the microwave?

What kind of experiments are being carried out with heating various objects in a microwave oven! Some of them are quite harmless and the only consequences from them can be dirty walls that will have to be washed. And some are dangerous, at best, for the equipment itself, and at worst, for the health and even life of its owner! One of the most dangerous experiments is placing a mercury thermometer in a microwave oven, which is strictly prohibited as it can cause significant harm.

How does a microwave oven work?

After placing any product into it and launching it, the following happens:

• microwave radiation is released, that is, short electromagnetic waves moving at the speed of light;
• they penetrate water molecules, promoting their friction, the energy obtained from this heats the product;
• This principle occurs at a depth of approximately one to three centimeters. Further, the high temperature passes to the center due to thermal conductivity.

At what temperature does it heat up? This indicator depends on the power level, which in standard models reaches approximately 800-1000 W. At the maximum level, a product placed in a microwave oven can heat up to one hundred degrees in a minute and, accordingly, to fifty in thirty seconds.Heating above 100 C usually does not occur, but, as a rule, users do not need this.

What happens if you heat a thermometer in the microwave?

Many may have a question: “Who would think of doing this?” The answer is simple - most often these are children who are especially interested in scientific experiments. But even if science does not appeal to them, they can try to achieve an increase in temperature in this way in order to feign illness and not go to school.

IMPORTANT! Be sure to talk to your children about the dangers of any games and experiments with a thermometer, especially a mercury thermometer!

So, what happens if you place a thermometer in a microwave oven and press start? There will be no expected explosions or sparks; at most, cracks will appear on it. If this is an electronic thermometer or a room alcohol thermometer, then everything will be limited to this. There will be a leak of mercury from the mercury chamber, which will entail a huge number of consequences.

Is it life-threatening?

The greatest danger to humans is mercury vapor, which is released from a broken thermometer in the microwave. Inhaling them contributes to severe poisoning, the symptoms of which are:

• general weak condition of the body;
• loss of appetite;
• migraine;
• pain when swallowing food;
• metallic taste in the mouth;
• excessive salivation;
• swollen and bleeding gums;
• nausea and vomiting;
• pain in the abdomen and chest;
• mucous diarrhea, sometimes with blood;
• cough and shortness of breath;
• state of chills;
• increase in body temperature.

If assistance is not provided in a timely manner, poisoning can lead to death! Please note that symptoms may not appear immediately, fully or severely.Therefore, we strongly recommend that you consult a doctor immediately, without waiting for your health to worsen!

When collecting mercury, do not touch it with exposed skin; be sure to use rubber gloves. The balls are collected using a syringe, an enema, two sheets of paper, an adhesive plaster, tape or adhesive tape.

ATTENTION! Do not use a broom or vacuum cleaner for this, as this will break the mercury into dust, which will increase the risk of inhalation and make it more 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 the electronic or room thermometer, you will be able to use the microwave oven as before, without consequences. Of course, the thermometer itself will fail and become unusable.

If a mercury leak occurs, even after all necessary measures have been taken to remove it, it is necessary to consult with specialists from the Ministry of Emergency Situations by calling “01” and conducting an environmental assessment. Otherwise, mercury vapor may settle on the heated food, which will lead to poisoning.