Question

Which of the following produces electromagnetic waves?

• A. Stationary charges
• B. Charges in uniform motion
• C. Accelerating charges
• D. Stationary magnet

Hint:

To generate electromagnetic waves, charges must be accelerating. This leads to the time-varying electric and magnetic fields that propagate as waves.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Electromagnetic waves are produced by accelerating charges. This is a fundamental concept in electromagnetism, where oscillating or accelerating charges generate time-varying electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space as electromagnetic waves. 
Step 1: When charges are stationary, they produce electric fields, but no magnetic field, hence they do not generate electromagnetic waves. 
Step 2: Charges in uniform motion create a constant magnetic field and may generate electromagnetic radiation if they are moving in a changing manner, but only accelerating charges produce the full electromagnetic wave. 
Step 3: The correct answer is that accelerating charges produce electromagnetic waves as described by Maxwell's equations.