Final answer:
To warm leftovers in a microwave, use proper microwaveable kitchenware and calculate the time required based on the microwave's power and the specific heat capacity of the food.
Step-by-step explanation:
You can warm up the leftovers in the microwave using microwaveable kitchenware. It is essential to avoid containers like yogurt containers or margarine tubs which might not be suitable for microwave use at temperatures which may cause the material to break down. The temperature increase you desire for your leftovers, such as warming a burrito from 5°C to 75°C, can be calculated using physics. The rate at which the microwave heats the food, known as the power (which we know as power), determines how long you should run the microwave.
To calculate the time required for heating, you use the specific heat capacity of the food and the energy input from the microwave. For example, if your burrito has a high water content, with an effective specific heat capacity of 3,000 J/kg/°C, and your microwave operates at a realistic power of 700 W, you'd use the formula q = m•c•ΔT, where q is the heat required, m is the mass, c is the specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the change in temperature.