By Press Association and Annie Palmer For Dailymail.com
Published: 00:03 GMT, 19 February 2019 | Updated: 00:40 GMT, 19 February 2019
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A pyrotechnic party trick that involves grapes bursting into flame in a microwave has been explained by scientists.
The trick, popular at science fairs and on YouTube, is performed as follows: Cut a grape into two halves joined by a small piece of skin and place in a household microwave oven.
Switch on at full power and enjoy the spectacle as white hot fire erupts from the point where the two grape halves touch.
While many have sought to provide a scientific explanation behind the phenomenon, few have gotten it right - until now.
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Many have tried to explain why grapes create plasma or sparks when microwaved.
Previous theories said an 'antenna,' or a small piece of skin, connecting two grape halves conducted an electrical current that caused them to burst into flames.
However, a new study has discovered that an antenna, or 'skin bridge,' is not necessary for a fire to spark.
Instead, they found two grapes trap microwaves which cause them to heat up.
By simply putting two grapes close to one another, they're the right size and shape to trap microwaves, create a 'hotspot' and generate plasma.
The same effect can be replicated with hydrogel beads dipped in water.
A new study conducted by a team of Canadian scientists shows how the phenomenon is triggered by charged molecules containing sodium and potassium.
Scientists used a combination of thermal imaging and computer simulations of electromagnetic fields to explain the physics behind why sparks are generated from microwaved grapes.
Experiments with water-based hydrogel beads and computer simulations revealed that the joining piece of
