Do fermions produce virtual bosons when they interact?

[a dull boy]

Dear Physics Forum,

I understand that forces between fermions are mediated by virtual bosons. My "sense"
of it is that a fermion produces virtual bosons (quarks would produce photons, gluons, and W/Z bosons; electrons photons and W/Z; neutrinos W/Z) within the confines of the uncertainty principle, and if a second fermion is within the range of the force, it can capture the virtual boson and this is the force exchange.

I have a few questions 1) do fermions actually produce virtual bosons? does a bosonic
field exist independently of fermions?
2) if so, are the continually producing them, or only when "induced"
by a second particle in its range
3) how is charge felt if electrons and positrons both
emit uncharged photons that mediate their interactions?

I realize this may be trying to put language to math, but I've read at least what seem reasonable mathematical treatments of feynman's rules (griffiths intro to elementary particles) and can't seem to find an answer there.

Thanks very much, Mark

 

[eljose79]

Dear Mark,

Thank you for your questions regarding the forces between fermions and the role of virtual bosons in mediating these interactions.

To answer your first question, it is important to understand that virtual particles, including virtual bosons, are a mathematical concept used in quantum field theory to describe the interactions between particles. They are not actual particles in the traditional sense, but rather they are mathematical representations of the exchange of energy and momentum between particles. Therefore, it is not accurate to say that fermions produce virtual bosons. Rather, virtual bosons are a result of the interactions between fermions.

To address your second question, virtual bosons are not continually produced by fermions. They are only produced when two fermions interact and exchange energy and momentum. This is in accordance with the uncertainty principle, as you mentioned, which states that the energy and time of a virtual particle must be uncertain and therefore it cannot exist for a long period of time.

Your third question is a bit more complex, as it involves the concept of charge and its relationship to the exchange of virtual bosons. In quantum field theory, the electromagnetic force between charged particles is mediated by the exchange of virtual photons. These photons are not uncharged, but rather they carry the charge of the particles involved in the interaction. Therefore, the charge is felt through the exchange of virtual photons, even though the photons themselves are not charged.

I hope this helps to clarify some of your questions. It is important to remember that virtual particles are a mathematical concept used to describe the interactions between particles in the quantum world, and they should not be interpreted as actual particles in the traditional sense. If you would like to further explore this topic, I would recommend consulting with a physics professor or doing further research on quantum field theory. Best of luck in your studies!