Why does aluminum foil burn in the microwave but not in the oven?
A microwave is so called because it runs on electromagnetic microwaves. Because it is magnetic, it clashes with the aluminum foil.
It is not designed to be used in a microwave because of the high temperatures.
an oven uses heat only. microwave uses a different form of energy.
Because of the conductive nature of foil intensifies the microwaves in small areas of the foil to a temperature far greater than can be achieved in an oven.
Aluminum foil doesn't actually burn in the microwave. What you are seeing is called the electro-magnetic effect. Microwaves travel as particles called photons, and when those photons hit your aluminum, they collide with the aluminum atoms and create extra electrons. Now, in larger pieces of metal, like a fork or a thermos, these electrons are distributed throughout the bulk of the object, but on thin pieces of conductive metals, like aluminum foil or gold plating, these electrons quickly build up a significant electric charge. What happens next is the same thing that happens when you drag your sock feet across the carpet in the winter and shock someone with the static charge. Sparks begin jumping from one part of the foil to another, or from the foil to the microwave itself. These sparks can cause a fire and ruin your microwave oven, to say nothing of your poor baked potato. Conventional ovens do not use microwaves, but rather just heat up the foil. Aluminum won't catch fire no matter how hot you get it, although it will eventually melt. But it is unlikely that your conventional oven will ever become that hot.
