Microwave Effect on Polar vs Nonpolar Molecules
Description: Rotational effect of microwaves excites and therefore heats polar substances but not nonpolar substances. Possible combinations include ice and dry ice or carbon tetrachloride and water.
Source: UW Card Catalog
Year: N/A Vol: N/A Page: N/A
Keywords: Dry ice, Ice, Carbon tetrachloride, Water, Microwave
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Shock hazard
- Cryogenic burn hazard
- Scalding hazard
- Mild asphyxiation hazard
- Acute toxicity hazard – oral, dermal, inhalation
- Skin sensitization
- Carcinogenicity
- Specific target organ toxicity – repeated exposure, inhalation – liver, kidney
- Short term (acute) aquatic hazard
- Long term (Chronic) aquatic hazard
- Hazardous to the ozone layer
Effectiveness: Good
- Results are observable with guidance
- Good connection to course material
- High reliability
- Primary and secondary observations
Difficulty: Medium
- Use of electrical equipment
- Some timed manipulations
- Time-dependent manipulations
- Demos in which a display is used
Safety Precautions:
- Thermal gloves required
- Eye protection required
- Absorbent material on hand
- Lab coat recommended
- Use of UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
- Prevent release of reagents to the environment
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
Class: Physical Chemistry, Intermolecular Forces
Division: General
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