Are Photons Responsible for the Forces in Static Electric Fields?

[BigMacnFries]

I have just read Feynman's QED book and am somewhat perplexed. I have read that photons are the culprit behind all electromagnetic phenomena. He explains electromagnetic radiation very well but I am lost when it comes to static fields. If two electrons are very close together (and repelling each other) are photons moving between them? If there are do they have wavelength or energy like photons in visible light? Please Help.

 

[Kruger]

@BigMacnFries:
These force mediators (the photons that the electrons exchange) are not on mass shell. They have a certain lifetime given by the Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. You see, these are only virtual quantas. The energy of these photons is also given by: E=hf=h(bar)omega

 

[R0man]

Photons and electric fields are closely related concepts in the realm of quantum mechanics and electromagnetism. Photons are particles of light and are the fundamental carriers of electromagnetic radiation. They are responsible for all electromagnetic phenomena, including the behavior of electric fields.

In the case of static electric fields, the concept of photons can be a bit confusing. Electrons, which have a negative charge, create an electric field around them. This field exerts a force on other charged particles, such as another electron. This force is the result of the exchange of virtual photons between the two particles.

In a sense, photons are constantly moving between the electrons, but not in the same way as in visible light. In the case of static electric fields, the photons are virtual particles, which means they do not exist as physical particles but are instead a manifestation of the underlying quantum interactions.

These virtual photons do not have a wavelength or energy in the same way as photons in visible light. Instead, they have a virtual momentum and energy that allows them to transfer the force between the electrons.

Feynman's QED book provides a detailed explanation of how these virtual photons work and how they are responsible for the behavior of electric fields. It is a complex concept, but with further study and understanding, you will be able to grasp the connection between photons and electric fields more clearly.

In summary, photons and electric fields are intertwined in the quantum world, and understanding their relationship is crucial to understanding the behavior of electromagnetic radiation and static electric fields. Keep exploring and learning, and you will be able to deepen your understanding of these fascinating concepts.