A cup of milk just exploded in the microwave.
Just a normal cup of full-fat milk. Exploded all over the microwave.

Google isn't being forthcoming with a reason why it would do that. This disappoints me greatly.

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( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Thu 1 Jan 2009, 8:52, 9 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

That is a bit weird.
Did it get too hot and boil over or did it just go boom? I've had things boil over in the microwave before, but that is about it.
( flirting with badgers What? It sounded good at the time., Thu 1 Jan 2009, 9:23, Reply)

Prob superheated it
then a small knock allowed the whole thing to boil at once.
(Shippy likes linebreaks and doesn't care what you think, Thu 1 Jan 2009, 9:24, Reply)

It went 'thump'
and scattered itself over the inside of the microwave.

And it'd only been on for a minute, maybe ninety seconds.

Quite amusing, all told. My drivers have dubbed it 'suicide milk'.

Happy New Year, you's two.

Edit: it bugs me greatly when I can't find out why something happens. I'm sad enough to google obscure ingredients on toothpaste and stuff, such is my geekdom thirst for knowledge.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Thu 1 Jan 2009, 9:28, Reply)

possible answer
wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_does_milk_explode_when_it_has_been_boiled_in_the_microwave
( enoughblueskyforsailorstrousers, Thu 1 Jan 2009, 10:05, Reply)

Cheers Mime
Not sure it was in long enough to form a skin. I've boiled milk in a double boiler for a long time for... medicinal purposes and it forms a good thick skin but I can't imagine it'd be strong enough to allow pressure to build.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Thu 1 Jan 2009, 10:27, Reply)

I remember
that one place I worked had a sign on the microwave about not letting liquids boil on their own.
I found this very funny until someone explained how liquid boiling in a microwave does some crazy shit that makes it explode.
Something to do with surface tension IIRC.
( Mrs Entity is in hiding., Thu 1 Jan 2009, 11:29, Reply)

I've seen my drivers put thousands of cups through the microwave
and they've never done this before.

I still have an incredibly hard time believing it could be anything to do with surface tension though.

HNY Mrs bin!
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Thu 1 Jan 2009, 11:59, Reply)

It was probably superheated
Although not the whole thing, just one spot. This happens on rare occasions which is why it is good to stir liquids before microwaving them lest they erupt all over your hands and seriously burn you. Be thankful it exploded in the microwave and not on you...
( jim_bob can herd cats., Fri 2 Jan 2009, 13:08, Reply)

Superheating
can only occur when a liquid is at rest. This cup of milk had only just been poured and it would take a fair while for the liquid to settle down enough for superheating.

So I've ruled that out.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Fri 2 Jan 2009, 15:01, Reply)