Are there any chemical reactions that can generate radio waves?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores whether chemical reactions can generate radio waves, examining the mechanisms and conditions under which this might occur. Participants consider theoretical and practical aspects of chemical reactions, plasma generation, and electromagnetic emissions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that while chemical reactions can emit light and heat, it is unclear if they can directly produce radio waves.
  • One participant suggests that a reaction creating oscillations in a plasma could potentially generate radio waves.
  • Another participant questions if a chemical reaction could create a plasma and oscillate it to produce radio waves, seeking examples of such reactions.
  • There is a viewpoint that many chemical reactions could be considered to create radio waves if one includes high-frequency electromagnetic radiation, though this is debated.
  • One participant mentions that chemical reactions can produce electricity, which can lead to radio frequency emissions as a secondary effect.
  • References to chemical luminescence and natural phenomena, such as bioluminescent fungi, are made, suggesting these might also generate lower frequency emissions.
  • Participants mention CIDNP (Chemically Induced Dynamic Nuclear Polarization) as a related concept, indicating further exploration of the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing views on whether and how chemical reactions can generate radio waves. Participants express differing interpretations of electromagnetic emissions related to chemical reactions.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the specific conditions under which chemical reactions might produce radio waves, and there are limitations in defining what constitutes radio waves versus other forms of electromagnetic radiation.

WarpedWatch
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I know that chemical reactions can emit light and heat, and these are part of the electromagnetic spectrum. But are there any chemical reactions that can directly produce electromagnetic emissions in the radio part of the spectrum?
 
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If you can devise a reaction that creates oscillations in a plasma, then yes.
 
Dickfore said:
If you can devise a reaction that creates oscillations in a plasma, then yes.

So could a chemical reaction create a plasma and at the same time somehow oscillate that plasma to produce a radio wave? Aside from being purely hypothetical, do you know of any particular type of chemical reactions that could create such conditions?

Thanks! :smile:
 
I would say many chemical reactions create radio waves, if you consider light to be very high frequency electromagnetic radiation, that can be easily observed you can see chemical reactions creating 'radio' waves. (at the frequency of visible light).

But I would also assume that EM radiation would proporgate from any material at an excited state.

Also a chemical reaction can produce electricity, that in turn can create a spark and generate RF, but that is more a secondary effect, just as a battery can power a radio transmitter. I sure you did not mean that :)

There are also various chemical die's that will generate light, and it also occures in nature, (I found some Fungi when camping once that glowed in the dark).

They create chemical luminescense, and light is radio waves that you can easily see.
So those reactions will probaby also be generating frequencies lower that visible.
 
Google CIDNP
 
DrDu said:
Google CIDNP

Thanks, Dr Du. I also found out about a book from 1993:

Chemical Generation and Reception of Radio-and Microwaves.

Interesting!
 

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