Which method of cooking involves the use of wave action?

The method of cooking that involves the use of wave action is microwave cooking. This process utilizes electromagnetic waves in the microwave frequency range to heat food. When microwaves penetrate the food, they cause water molecules in the food to vibrate, creating friction which generates heat. This heat cooks the food from the inside out more quickly than traditional methods.

In contrast, convection involves the transfer of heat through a fluid (such as air or water) where the warmer parts of the fluid rise while cooler parts sink, effectively circulating heat around the food. Conduction refers to the direct transfer of heat from one surface to another, typically through contact with hot surfaces or cookware. Radiation cooking involves transferring heat through electromagnetic waves but does not specifically rely on the same wave action mechanism as microwaves, as it typically pertains to infrared heat or radiant heat from sources like ovens or grills.