what usually happens when you do?
205461
The previous answers explain what metals DO in the microwave, but not WHY.  \n\nIt is not necessarily bad that metal is in the microwave: the walls of the microwave are made of metal!  What is so special about metal?\n\nThe reason that metals are shiny is that they have free electrons in them.  The free electrons in metal are what make the metal electrically and thermally conductive; ceramics don't have free-electrons and so are not shiny- metallic in appearance (you can tell just by looking).\n\nIt turns out that the free electrons in the metal reflect photons (energy packets) of light for both visible and thermal (microwave) ranges.  Long electromagnetic waves (microwaves) also behave as photons; we don't call them photons of light because we can't see them, but microwave photons are in fact the same kind of photon, just of lower energy.  It is important to understand that all that is going on in the microwave is that the metal in the microwave is reflecting the microwaves (and not being absorbed).\n\nThe way that microwave heat is by coupling electromagentically to 'wiggle' atoms (certain atoms/molecules anyway; those that have a dipole moment) very fast, causing heating (not metals of course - the microwaves bounce off; and not materials without a dipole moment, which is why some ceramics and glasses don't heat up).  Water isn't even the most efficient coupling material at microwave frequencies; this is why sugar heats up so much faster. \n\nThe microwaves are reflected by the metal walls until they are absorbed, (usually by water-containing food), their energy being converted to heat. Should absorption not take place - if, for example, the oven is activated when empty, some energy will re-enter the waveguide and cause over-heating of the magnetron. Usually a safety switch turns the machine off when this happens. Note that the reflecting walls and the constant frequency of the microwaves set up standing waves in the chamber. This results in some areas being much more active than others and is the reason why food must be rotated through the varying field to cook evenly.  \n\nSo why does a metallic fork arc?  The resonance induces enough movement in the electrons in the metal to create an electric field charge sufficient to arc (even though it is a reflecting material, electrical currents are induced).  Note that the metal object won't arc if it is grounded to the walls, and it won't arc if it is insulated sufficiently (I have a metal 'roast rack' in my microwave).\n\nGenerally it is not a good idea to put metals in the microwave because you want the food to absorb the energy, the manufacturer of the microwave spent a lot of time designing the standing wave energy field to be uniform to do just that, and introducing metal distorts that field - its OK if you know what you're doing, not so good if you don't have a purpose in mind.
575246
Yeah, it happens in the weirdest times.\nThere's two explanations: \n1.) Something in a different dimension crossed the exact location you're in\n2.) Some kinda of body response to your environment.\n\nHope I helped.
636777
No clue what to do, but it happens to me to!
610333
you dont want my dilema but when faced with a "what to do scenario" I usually say...F$%^& it, and do it...I like to roll the dice to see what happens...
557942
Rape happens. Every two and a half minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted.  it happens. It happened to me.
355250
Yes but what do you expect.
482373
What's the Worst That Could Happen?
149105
you know when you know
491933
That depends!  What did you do???
414101
have you eaten anything?  medications?\ntry to crap and see what happens
76086
if something interests you
295561
Yes it happens.  Unfortunate.
192364
the same thing happens to me too.
318682
go ahead, and let me know what happens
56857
that ususally happens but like sometimes if someone just says an explaination and i usually pick because of the explaination
505773
normal! don't worry. happens to me too
443287
When you get a good answer let me know_