What is the process of heating an insulating material by placing it in a high-frequency electric field called?

The process of heating an insulating material by placing it in a high-frequency electric field is known as dielectric heating. This method utilizes the polar molecules within the insulating material, which align themselves with the alternating electric field. As the field changes direction at a high frequency, the molecules' rapid movement generates heat through molecular friction. This technique is commonly used in applications like microwave ovens, where non-conductive materials such as food are heated effectively due to their dielectric properties.

In contrast, induction heating involves inducing an electric current in a material through a changing magnetic field, making it effective for conductive materials. Conduction heating refers to the direct transfer of heat through a solid material, where heat flows from one molecule to another without the movement of the material itself. Radiant heating corresponds to the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, such as infrared radiation, which does not specifically involve the high-frequency electric fields used in dielectric heating. Each of these heating methods has distinct applications and mechanisms, highlighting why dielectric heating is uniquely defined by its reliance on high-frequency electric fields to produce heat within insulating materials.