Dielectric and Thermal Properties
of Materials at Microwave Frequencies
RF Cafe Quiz #45

This quiz is based on the information presented in Handbook of Dielectric and Thermal Properties of Materials at Microwave Frequencies, by Theodore Anderson. This book is a wealth of information of dielectric characteristics of biological tissues in plants, animals, as well as for ceramics, soils and minerals. Particular attention is paid to properties in the ISM frequency bands. Extensive sources for similar studies are provided.

Also consider: USAFSAM-TR-85-73, Radiofrequency Radiation Dosimetry Handbook (4th Edition)

This is the mother of all such references for SAR studies.

1.  What is a serious reason for uneven distribution of the thermal field in lossy media?

a)  Lossiness

b)  Temperature gradients

c)  Thermal runaway

d)  Impurities

2.  What is the mechanism for generating heat in dielectric materials via microwaves?

a)  Dipole polarization where polar molecules try to align themselves with the applied field

b)  High internal friction

c)  High temperature gradients

d)  Atomic molecularity

a)  Spatial injection method

b)  Surface current method

c)  Skin effect method

d)  Perturbation method

4.  What does heat capacity of a material measure?

a)  Ability to accumulate heat by increasing its temperature

b)  Amount of heat contained

c)  Absolute temperature

d)  Relative temperature

5.  What are the main mechanisms for interaction between EM waves and biological (e.g., brain) tissue?

a)  Oscillation of polar water molecules and ions

b)  Radiation of conductive salts

c)  Conduction of mineral impurities

d)  All the above

6.  Which list represents materials ordered from least to most polar high frequency dielectric properties.a)  PVC, rubber, polyethylene

b)  Rubber, PVC, polyethylene

c)  Polyethylene, rubber, PVC

d)  All have equal polar properties at high frequency

7.  Which property is very important in affecting temperature distribution in liquids heated by microwaves?

a)  Density

b)  Conductivity

c)  Dielectric constant

d)  Viscosity

8.  Which body component has the highest conductivity in the 915 MHz ISM band?

a)  Cerebrospinal fluid

b)  Brain

c)  Bone marrow

d)  Tongue

9.  Which body component has the lowest conductivity in the 915 MHz ISM band?

a)  Blood

b)  Brain

c)  Bone marrow

d)  Tongue

a)  Increases

b)  Decreases

c)  Does not change

d)  Initially increases, then decreases

Need some help? Click here for the answers and explanations.

Quizzes from vintage electronics magazines such as Popular Electronics, Electronics-World, QST, and Radio News were published over the years - some really simple and others not so simple. Robert P. Balin created most of the quizzes for Popular Electronics. This is a listing of all I have posted thus far.

Posted August 21, 2019(original 8/9/2012)