How Repulsion Works: Exploring Maseless Photons in QED

In summary, The conversation discusses the process of atoms repelling each other and the role of massless photons in this process. The concept of virtual particles is also mentioned and their role in the repulsion. The idea that the fields themselves are responsible for the repelling and attracting is presented as an alternative to the concept of virtual particles. The need for visualization of the repelling process is also mentioned.
  • #1
morg
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Hi, I am green to QED.

I could not find any more detailed answer about more exact description of atoms' repel process, both on the forum and the internet. Let's say we have a swarm of water steam particles, hitting each other. Some will join and stay together to form larger droplets, but some will bounce off by their atoms' repulsion force.

How the process of bounce works: How exactly maseless photons involved in the electromagnetic force cause this bounce?

Thanks
 
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  • #3
qsa said:

thank you very much... After reading this very helpful text, I still don't understand some basic ideas. In example of water steam that I mentioned before:

Are photon wavefunctions (that are responsible for repulsion forces) emitted by electron wavefunction of the repelling H2O atoms? Or these force carrying photons wavefunctions are already "in the field" emitted before by any other sources?
 
  • #4
Hold on. Virtual particles are, arguably, simply mathematical constructs used to help visualize the math behind quantum mechanics. I THINK it is just as accurate to say that the fields themselves are doing the repelling and attracting and that the virtual particles are simply not real.
 
  • #5
Drakkith said:
Hold on. Virtual particles are, arguably, simply mathematical constructs used to help visualize the math behind quantum mechanics. I THINK it is just as accurate to say that the fields themselves are doing the repelling and attracting and that the virtual particles are simply not real.

Of course I understand that the idea of virtual particles are virtual behind it, but actually not the fields themselves do the job, but very specific field fluctuations do the job.

I am aiming at visualization of the repelling process. Should I show photon field as a waves propagating in a particular way?
 

FAQ: How Repulsion Works: Exploring Maseless Photons in QED

What is repulsion and how does it work?

Repulsion is a fundamental force that describes the tendency of like-charged particles to push away from each other. This phenomenon is explained by the exchange of massless photons between charged particles, as described in quantum electrodynamics (QED).

How do massless photons play a role in repulsion?

In QED, it is theorized that charged particles interact with each other by exchanging massless photons. These photons carry the electromagnetic force between particles, causing them to repel each other.

Can repulsion be observed at a macroscopic level?

While repulsion is a fundamental force, it is usually observed at a microscopic level due to the small size of charged particles. However, macroscopic objects can also exhibit repulsion, such as when two positively charged balloons are brought close together and repel each other.

How does the strength of repulsion compare to other fundamental forces?

Repulsion is one of the four fundamental forces in nature, along with gravity, strong nuclear force, and weak nuclear force. It is the second strongest force after the strong nuclear force, but it acts on a much larger scale than the other forces.

Can repulsion be manipulated or controlled?

As a fundamental force, repulsion cannot be directly manipulated or controlled. However, scientists can manipulate the behavior of charged particles, and thus the strength and direction of repulsion, through the use of electromagnetic fields and other techniques.

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