Why does DC current not generate EMR?

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DC current does not generate electromagnetic radiation (EMR) despite the acceleration of electrons because the drift speed of electrons is extremely slow, resulting in negligible contributions to their acceleration. While accelerated charges typically produce EM waves, the heat generated from DC current is due to the random motion of particles rather than EMR. The radiation emitted from heated materials is primarily infrared, which occurs only when the temperature is sufficiently high. It is important to note that heat itself is not a form of EM radiation, although EM radiation can convert to heat upon absorption. Thus, while DC current can produce heat, it does not directly emit EMR under normal conditions.
suhasm
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During current flow , electrons are certainly being accelerated and decelerated betweeen two successive collisions with the metal lattice. Since accelerated charge generates EM waves , why doesn't a DC current emit EMR?
 
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heat is a form of magnetic radiation

Pass DC voltage thru a wire and heat is the byproduct
 
suhasm said:
During current flow , electrons are certainly being accelerated and decelerated betweeen two successive collisions with the metal lattice. Since accelerated charge generates EM waves , why doesn't a DC current emit EMR?

The drift speed of electrons is incredibly slow compared to the random motions of the electrons. The drift speed is less than a millimeter per second, compared to hundreds of meters per second, for the so the drift speed will make no measurable contribution to the accelerations of the electrons.

The accelerations of electrons will always cause electromagnetic radiation, and this depends only on the temperature and not on the the presence of current. Until the material becomes so hot it starts to glow, the radiation will be infrared radiation.

Of course, the current can heat up the material, that will then radiate more infrared.
 
mkillman said:
heat is a form of magnetic radiation

Pass DC voltage thru a wire and heat is the byproduct

Heat is not a form of EM radiation. It is the random motion of particles in a material. EM radiation can be converted to heat upon being absorbed though.
 

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