A cook heats a meal in a microwave oven. What energy transformations occur between the microwave oven and the meal?

A) Electrical energy → light energy → chemical energy

B) Chemical energy → thermal energy → light energy

C) Electrical energy → electromagnetic energy → thermal energy

D) Chemical energy → electromagnetic energy → chemical energy

The answer is; C

It begins with electrical energy when the microwave is connected to a power outlet. The electrical energy changes to electromagnetic energy as the microwave releases microwave radiation that hits the food in the microwave. When the microwave's electromagnetic radiation hits the food, the water molecules in the food get excited and the food heats up turning to thermal energy.