What particle emits the most radio waves?

AI Thread Summary
Everything emits radio waves, but the amount varies significantly based on the particle's charge and how it is accelerated. Electrons are the most effective emitters of radio waves due to their low mass, making them easier to accelerate. The energy per photon of radio waves is very low, which contributes to their limited emission compared to other electromagnetic spectrum regions. Most objects emit minimal radio waves, with thermal radiation peaking at much higher frequencies. The discussion highlights the complexity of measuring the "greatness" of radio wave emission, focusing on factors like frequency, amplitude, and the nature of the emitting particles.
S3nkaku
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I'm operating with the understanding that everything emits radio waves (electromagnetic/light waves). Is this correct? Whatever the answer is, what particle or element or molecule emits the most/greatest radio waves?
 
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All accelerated charges emit electromagnetic waves. The frequency spectrum of those depends on details of the process.
S3nkaku said:
what particle or element or molecule emits the most/greatest radio waves?
That depends on how you accelerate the particles / the charges in the object. There is no intrinsic particle property "emits more/less electromagnetic waves" apart from the charge of the particle.
 
Objects in the universe emit very little radio waves compared with the rest of the spectrum. The reason for this is that the energy per photon of a radio wave is very, very low. Most EM generating processes take place well above this energy range. For example, even the thermal radiation of an object at 4 kelvin peaks far above the frequency of radio waves. (It peaks at 414 GHz actually)
 
Drakkith said:
Objects in the universe emit very little radio waves compared with the rest of the spectrum. The reason for this is that the energy per photon of a radio wave is very, very low.
By energy per photon, do you mean the one corresponding to ## \hbar \omega ##? If yes what does it have to do with the weak magnitude of the spectrum in microwave region?
 
blue_leaf77 said:
By energy per photon, do you mean the one corresponding to ## \hbar \omega ##? If yes what does it have to do with the weak magnitude of the spectrum in microwave region?

Perhaps I shouldn't say that the reason is that the energy per photon increases. I thought it made sense when I wrote it, but now I don't know.
 
S3nkaku said:
I'm operating with the understanding that everything emits radio waves (electromagnetic/light waves). Is this correct? Whatever the answer is, what particle or element or molecule emits the most/greatest radio waves?
Radio waves and EM waves generally are emitted when a charged particle is accelerated. So electrons are the best radiators because they have least mass and are most easily accelerated.
 
S3nkaku said:
most/greatest radio waves?

A radio wave has a frequency, an amplitude, energy, and momentum. We could also describe whether it is plane, cylidrical or spherical (or else), and find out about polarisation, coherence, and uncertainty.

I'm unsure however as how we would count them or measure their "greatness".
 
Naturally that would mean the strongest power in its emitter spectrum.
 

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