Religion and Ethics Forum

General Category => Science and Technology => Topic started by: Nearly Sane on May 04, 2023, 10:36:04 AM

Title: Chaos theory and my friend's new microwave
Post by: Nearly Sane on May 04, 2023, 10:36:04 AM
Friend has just got a new microwave and it has a Chaos Defrost option which apparently uses chaos theory.

Title: Re: Chaos theory and my friend's new microwave
Post by: jeremyp on May 05, 2023, 08:08:15 AM
Yeah that’s bollocks.

Title: Re: Chaos theory and my friend's new microwave
Post by: Dicky Underpants on May 05, 2023, 04:24:14 PM
Friend has just got a new microwave and it has a Chaos Defrost option which apparently uses chaos theory.

Sounds over-complicated for what is the least important function of a microwave, I'd have thought. I just bought a combination one, with convection oven and grill functions as well. There is no mention of chaos theory in the instructions, which are complicated enough without that. But now I've got the hang of it, I find it a very useful item indeed.
Title: Re: Chaos theory and my friend's new microwave
Post by: Nearly Sane on May 05, 2023, 04:28:27 PM
Sounds over-complicated for what is the least important function of a microwave, I'd have thought. I just bought a combination one, with convection oven and grill functions as well. There is no mention of chaos theory in the instructions, which are complicated enough without that. But now I've got the hang of it, I find it a very useful item indeed.

Would appear to have been about for 20 years

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/chaos-theory-serves-up-solution-to-speedy-defrosting-in-microwaves-102308.html
Title: Re: Chaos theory and my friend's new microwave
Post by: Udayana on May 06, 2023, 02:45:53 PM
I doubt the idea actually arose out of chaos theory - most likely they were just trying to improve the efficiency of the machines, recognising that microwaves of fixed wavelengths could leave (small) unheated areas. Introducing irregular bursts improves defrosting speed and evenness.
 
Maybe someone should apply chaos theory to analyse pour over vs drip coffee brewing?