Electrostatic repulsion at a distance

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the nature of electrostatic forces in Quantum Field Theory (QFT), specifically regarding the interaction between electrons at varying distances. It is established that while electrostatic forces can occur at any distance, their strength diminishes according to the inverse square law as distance increases. Participants clarify that although every electron theoretically interacts with all other charged particles in the universe, the practical effects of these interactions are negligible due to the vast distances and the cancellation of forces from numerous particles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Quantum Field Theory (QFT)
  • Knowledge of electrostatic forces and the inverse square law
  • Familiarity with virtual particles and their role in particle interactions
  • Basic principles of particle physics and electromagnetic interactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the concept of virtual particles in Quantum Field Theory
  • Study the implications of the inverse square law in electrostatics
  • Explore the interactions of charged particles over vast distances
  • Investigate the effects of distant gravitational forces on local phenomena
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physicists, students of particle physics, and anyone interested in the fundamental interactions of charged particles in the universe.

Philipsmett
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What does it mean ?
"the virtual photon's plane wave is seemingly created everywhere in space at once, and destroyed all at once. Therefore, the interaction can happen no matter how far the interacting particles are from each other."
As far as I know, the electrostatic force between two electrons in QFT occurs only at a short distance.
 
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Philipsmett said:
What does it mean ?

Where are you getting this quote from? Please give a specific reference.
 
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Philipsmett said:
As far as I know, the electrostatic force between two electrons in QFT occurs only at a short distance.

No, electrostatic force can occur at any distance. It just gets weaker as the distance increases, as the inverse square of the distance.
 
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PeterDonis said:
No, electrostatic force can occur at any distance. It just gets weaker as the distance increases, as the inverse square of the distance.
Is it possible that an electron in an atom interacts with an electron in a second atom and simultaneously interacts with an electron in another galaxy?
 
Philipsmett said:
Is it possible that an electron in an atom interacts with an electron in a second atom and simultaneously interacts with an electron in another galaxy?

In principle, every electron could be interacting with every other charged particle in the universe. But since the interaction weakens with distance, and since there are lots of charged particles many of whose interactions cancel out, the effects of charged particles in the vast majority of the universe on anyone particular charged particle are negligible by many, many orders of magnitude.
 
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Philipsmett said:
Is it possible that an electron in an atom interacts with an electron in a second atom and simultaneously interacts with an electron in another galaxy?

Do you see the effect of the gravity from Alpha Centauri in your everyday existence?

Zz.
 
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