An accelerated electric charge emits

Options

A. `beta`- rays
B. `gamma`- rays
C. e.m. waves
D. none of the above

Answer

To solve the question "An accelerated electric charge emits," we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the nature of an electric charge
An electric charge, when at rest, creates an electric field around it. This electric field is a vector field that describes the influence of the charge on other charges in its vicinity.

**Hint:** Remember that electric charges create electric fields regardless of their state of motion.

### Step 2: Consider the effect of acceleration
When an electric charge is accelerated, it not only generates an electric field but also produces a magnetic field. This is because a moving charge creates a magnetic field around it, as described by the right-hand rule.

**Hint:** Think about how the motion of the charge affects the surrounding fields.

### Step 3: Relate electric and magnetic fields
The presence of both electric and magnetic fields indicates that electromagnetic waves are being emitted. This is a fundamental principle of electromagnetism: a changing electric field generates a magnetic field, and a changing magnetic field generates an electric field.

**Hint:** Recall Maxwell's equations, which describe how electric and magnetic fields interact.

### Step 4: Conclude the type of emission
Since an accelerated charge produces both electric and magnetic fields, it emits electromagnetic waves (EM waves). This is a key concept in the study of electromagnetism.

**Hint:** Remember that electromagnetic waves include visible light, radio waves, and other forms of radiation.

### Final Answer
An accelerated electric charge emits electromagnetic waves (EM waves).