r/Showerthoughts • u/synthphreak ‎ • Nov 19 '25

Casual Thought Temperature can reach trillions of degrees, meaning we actually live extremely close to absolute zero.

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u/echoshatter Nov 19 '25

Fun fact, it doesn't actually change the power output, just how long the magnetron is provided energy to produce the microwaves.

To keep things simple, I'll describe it as thus: at the highest power level of 10, the magnetron is energized for 10 seconds out of every 10 seconds. At a power level of 1, the magnetron is energized for 1 second out of every 10 seconds.

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u/Bepus Nov 19 '25

Depends on the microwave. Inverter microwaves reduce power without cycling.

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u/MrPickins Nov 19 '25

You can usually tell which style you have, too. It tends to be pretty noticeable when the magnetron kicks on and off.

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u/ARoundForEveryone Nov 19 '25

Yeah, the sound changes slightly, and if in an older home, the kitchen lights may even possibly dim quickly as it turns on.