Why does aluminum foil catch on fire when microwaved?
Aluminum foil doesn't actually burn in the microwaveWhat you are seeing is called the electro-magnetic effectMicrowaves travel as particles called photons, and when those photons hit your aluminum, they collide with the aluminum atoms and create extra electronsNow, 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.
