Can Virtual Particles Have Infinite and Negative Acceleration?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of virtual particles, particularly focusing on the concepts of acceleration, mass, and speed in relation to both massless and virtual particles. Participants explore hypothetical scenarios involving massless particles and the implications of acceleration when transitioning between states of motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that if a massless particle starts at rest and reaches a speed of 100 m/s in zero time, the acceleration could be considered both infinite and negative infinite due to division by zero.
  • Several participants assert that massless particles can only travel at the speed of light (c) and cannot be stationary.
  • There is a discussion about the acceleration of photons emitted during an electron's transition to a lower energy state, with one participant suggesting that this could imply infinite acceleration.
  • Another participant clarifies that real photons are always on-shell and travel at c, thus cannot have less than c without violating conservation laws.
  • The concept of virtual particles is introduced, with a participant noting that they are off-shell and can exhibit different properties, such as potentially having mass and traveling at speeds other than c.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that massless particles travel at c and cannot be stationary. However, there is disagreement regarding the implications of acceleration for virtual particles and the nature of acceleration in hypothetical scenarios involving massless particles.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the implications of acceleration in scenarios involving division by zero and the characteristics of virtual versus real particles, but do not resolve the complexities surrounding these concepts.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring theoretical physics, particularly in the context of particle physics and the behavior of massless and virtual particles.

TheDarkness
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Hypothetically, a particle p of mass M is sitting at velocity v. Assuming M = 0, and the vi of p is 0 m/s, 0 seconds passes and vf 100 m/s is reached. Since time t is 0, acceleration cannot exist, as no t has passed between the vi and vf states. And, knowing that a = (vf - vi)/ Δt, a = (100 - 0)/0-0, a = 100/0. Because of the divisional zero, would not a be both equal to ∞ m/s^2 and -∞ m/s^2?
 
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Hi TheDarkness, welcome to PF

The only speed that a massless particle can travel at is c.
 
DaleSpam said:
Hi TheDarkness, welcome to PF

The only speed that a massless particle can travel at is c.
So a massless particle cannot be stationary?
 
Correct, it can only move at c never more and never less.
 
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DaleSpam said:
Correct, it can only move at c never more and never less.
Yes, but when an electron jumps to a lower shell, and emits a photon, would not the acceleration of the photon from the point of creation be infinite?
 
TheDarkness said:
Yes, but when an electron jumps to a lower shell, and emits a photon, would not the acceleration of the photon from the point of creation be infinite?
Any real photon is on-shell, meaning that it travels at c at all times. If it traveled at less than c then it would be off shell and could not conserve both energy and momentum.
 
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DaleSpam said:
Any real photon is on-shell, meaning that it travels at c at all times. If it traveled at less than c then it would be off shell and could not conserve both energy and momentum.
I see. Thank you.
 
DaleSpam said:
Any real photon is on-shell, meaning that it travels at c at all times. If it traveled at less than c then it would be off shell and could not conserve both energy and momentum.
What of virtual particles?
 
TheDarkness said:
What of virtual particles?
Virtual particles are off shell, by definition, so all bets are off. Virtual photons can have mass, travel at speeds other than c, and so forth.
 

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