- #1
asimov42
- 377
- 4
Hi folks,
I number of years ago, I asked a question about real particles interacting with virtual particles - since then, I've learned a little bit (maybe not too much :-), but I'm still curious about one thing. Original thread here:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/interactions-between-real-and-virtual-particles.367842/
Since virtual particles appear in a particular perturbative expansion approach, as in my original question, could you ever have a 'real' electron, for example interacting (annihilating) with the positron of a virtual electron-positron pair? That is, in the perturbative expansion, would this ever actually be one of the terms involved? Since the 'real' electron is effectively on shell, and the virtual positron os off shell, shouldn't terms of this type not be added?
I ask in part because of this posting:
https://profmattstrassler.com/artic...ysics-basics/virtual-particles-what-are-they/
Wouldn't the real electron interaction with the virtual electron be 'incompatible'? Or would you still find these types of terms showing up in the perturbative expansion approach?
(and I realize there's perhaps no exact line between what's virtual and what's real)
Thanks all! Sorry to dwell on the same sort of question...
I number of years ago, I asked a question about real particles interacting with virtual particles - since then, I've learned a little bit (maybe not too much :-), but I'm still curious about one thing. Original thread here:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/interactions-between-real-and-virtual-particles.367842/
Since virtual particles appear in a particular perturbative expansion approach, as in my original question, could you ever have a 'real' electron, for example interacting (annihilating) with the positron of a virtual electron-positron pair? That is, in the perturbative expansion, would this ever actually be one of the terms involved? Since the 'real' electron is effectively on shell, and the virtual positron os off shell, shouldn't terms of this type not be added?
I ask in part because of this posting:
https://profmattstrassler.com/artic...ysics-basics/virtual-particles-what-are-they/
Wouldn't the real electron interaction with the virtual electron be 'incompatible'? Or would you still find these types of terms showing up in the perturbative expansion approach?
(and I realize there's perhaps no exact line between what's virtual and what's real)
Thanks all! Sorry to dwell on the same sort of question...