text: how do i investigate the elctromagnetic spectrum? i have taken a probably unhealthy interest in physics, especially in the field of the elctromagnetic spectrum. problem is, i do not yet know how these waves are created, for example in microwave ovens. a friend told me that some are created by oscillating a current through, say, a copper coil at a particular frequency. is this true? and if so, what types/bands of the elctromagnetic spectrum does this work for? start with a book on electricity and magnetism.  yes, that is the most common way of generating electromagnetic waves.  it is practical from microwave frequencies nearly all the way down to zero in frequency.