Physics in action

Got myself one of those microwaveable bowl thingies for lunch. As bowls often are, it was round. I added water and put it in the microwave. Because the receptionist (who gets stuck cleaning out the microwave, even though it's not in her job description) wants us to use this plastic half-dome as a splash guard, I put the plastic half-dome on top of the bowl. The half-dome was resting on the bowl, and there was about a half inch gap between the edges of the half-dome and the spinner in the microwave. Anybody want to guess the outcome?

Yes, indeed! After eight minutes, the half-dome was resting on the spinner, the bowl was suctioned to the inside of the half-dome, and there was about a half inch gap between the bottom of the bowl and the spinner in the microwave. And! the plastic bowl had made itself into a smaller plastic bowl. 'twas a cool demonstration of the interaction of pressure and temperature.

Except the part about trying to prise my (boiling) lunch from its pressure-locked prison. I went with sliding the bowl toward the edge of the half-dome until the seal broke. I'm now thinking that sticking the whole thing under a cold water tap would have been a more elegant solution.


Today's earrings: scarabs

Bedtime reading: Through Elegant Eyes, R.A. Lafferty