Questions about antenna

ASidd

How exactly does an antenna work?

When Alternating current is produced into the conducting rod why does it propagate into space as electromagnetic waves or in other words what causes the current to leave the antenna?

Also when electromagnetic waves interact with a receiving antenna what exactly happens that changes them back into current?

If someone could give me links to some resources; it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mech_Engineer

Current flowing through a wire creates an electromagnetic field around it; an alternating electric current creates an alternating electromagnetic field.

Similarly, a wire put in an alternating electromagnetic field will have an induced electric current within it. Thus, antennas are born and a lot of other technologies are enabled as well like electromagnets and transformers.

Ever tried a google search?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antenna_(electronics)