Is All Electromagnetic Radiation Emitted by Charged Particles?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the nature of electromagnetic radiation and its relationship to charged particles. Participants explore various contexts in which electromagnetic radiation is emitted, including thermal radiation, atomic transitions, and particle annihilation, while questioning the accuracy of statements regarding the necessity of charge for emission.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that electromagnetic radiation is primarily emitted by charged particles, particularly during acceleration, citing examples like bremsstrahlung and synchrotron radiation.
  • Others challenge this view by noting that thermal radiation emitted by neutral bodies, such as the human body, occurs due to internal molecular vibrations, not solely from charged particles.
  • A participant mentions that atoms can emit or absorb electromagnetic radiation through electron transitions, which involves charged particles but questions whether this aligns with the original statement about charge necessity.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that electromagnetic radiation can also arise from the annihilation of particles, regardless of their charge, and raises the possibility of uncharged black holes emitting electromagnetic radiation.
  • One participant emphasizes that electromagnetic radiation is created by charged particles, even in processes like particle annihilation, while also discussing the role of virtual charged particles in black holes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether all electromagnetic radiation is emitted by charged particles, with some supporting the idea while others provide counterexamples and alternative explanations. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the necessity of charge in all cases of electromagnetic radiation emission.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion, including potential misunderstandings about the role of charge in various emission processes and the definitions of terms like "thermal radiation" and "electromagnetic radiation." Some claims depend on specific contexts that are not fully explored.

Froglet
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I recently read an article online stating that electromagnetic radiation is 'a form of energy emitted and absorbed by charged particles'.

This isn't always correct, is it? I mean, I know that charged particles that are accelerating can emit bremsstrahlung and synchrotron radiation, but my own body will emit thermal infra-red, and I'm not made up of charged particles. Also, as I understand it, an atom can emit or absorb e-m radiation simply by electron transitions between energy levels; the atom is still neutral (although it could be in an excited state.)

Am I correct, or hopelessly confused?

Thanks,

Paul.
 
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Hi Paul! :smile:
Froglet said:
I recently read an article online stating that electromagnetic radiation is 'a form of energy emitted and absorbed by charged particles'.

… an atom can emit or absorb e-m radiation simply by electron transitions between energy levels

but that is emission by charged particles, isn't it? :confused:
 
tiny-tim said:
Hi Paul! :smile:


but that is emission by charged particles, isn't it? :confused:

:smile: Yes, you're right of course...brain-freeze moment on my part! No further replies necessary!
 
Basically charges affects other charge solely via EMF (photons).Roman.
 
Electromagnetic radiation also comes from annihilation of particles, regardless of charge. I suppose an uncharged black hole also emits EM radiation.
 
In the annihilation of particles charge is conserved and as far as I know Electromagnetic radiation is still created by Charge (electrons and/or quarks). In a black EM radiation is, as far as I know, created by Charges and escapes the event horizon due to virtual charged particle annihilation...

Cheers.Roman.
 
In the case of thermal radiation from your own body, it would mostly be a result of internal vibrations in polar molecules, such as H2O.
 

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