Properties 2
Physics: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 6.4.8
Production of Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic waves can be produced by electrical circuits and by changes in atoms.
Electrical circuits
- Oscillations (repeating variations) in electrical circuits can produce radio waves.
- When radio waves are absorbed, they can create an alternating current with the same frequency as the radio wave itself.
- This means that radio waves can lead to oscillations in an electrical circuit.
Changes in atoms
- Changes in atoms and the nuclei of atoms can result in electromagnetic waves being generated or absorbed over a wide frequency range.
- Gamma rays originate from changes in the nucleus of an atom.
Test yourself on Properties 2
Which of these can produce electromagnetic waves?
Which part of an atom do gamma rays come from?