Working of MRI Scan MRI machine sends radiofrequency waves through the body. This sets up a magnetic field in which the atoms organize either at north or south position. Few atoms don’t align with the rest as they are unmatched and keep spinning in normal fashion. These atoms spin in opposite direction after passing of radiofrequency waves. The MRI machine is turned off and the atoms return to their original position by emitting energy. This energy sends signals to computer which employs a mathematical formula to convert the signals into images.