Explaining Electromagnetic Forces: Repulsion & Attraction

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the mechanism of electromagnetic forces, specifically the role of virtual photons in explaining attraction and repulsion between point charges. It highlights that the electrostatic force behaves differently for like and oppositely charged particles, with attraction occurring between opposite charges and repulsion between like charges. The participants recommend consulting Arnold's Physics FAQ for a deeper understanding of virtual photons, emphasizing their status as mathematical constructs within quantum field theory rather than physical entities.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrostatic forces and Coulomb's law
  • Familiarity with quantum field theory (QFT)
  • Basic knowledge of virtual particles and their role in particle physics
  • Ability to interpret mathematical models in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Read Arnold's Physics FAQ on virtual photons
  • Explore the perturbation theory in quantum field theory
  • Study the differences between attraction and repulsion in electrostatics
  • Investigate the mathematical models used in quantum mechanics
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the fundamental principles of electromagnetic forces and quantum field theory.

rogainuser
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What is the mechanism for explaining the different effect of repulsion and also attraction due to the exchange of virtual photons in the electromagnetic forces?

For example, the electrostatic force between two point charges, for both when they are oppositely charged and like charged?
 
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rogainuser said:
For example, the electrostatic force between two point charges, for both when they are oppositely charged and like charged?

Could you please be clearer? What exactly do you want to know?
 


First I would read Arnold's Physics FAQ, "Are virtual photons real"? It seems to me that they are merely an artifact of the mathematical model that is used to calculate various interactions. They only appear in the perturbation model of a QFT. I don't think that a purely mechanical description of how they pull or push another electric charge will be very satisfying and since it will be an analogy it will be full of holes.

All IMHO of course.
 


rogainuser said:
What is the mechanism for explaining the different effect of repulsion and also attraction due to the exchange of virtual photons in the electromagnetic forces?

For example, the electrostatic force between two point charges, for both when they are oppositely charged and like charged?

http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Quantum/virtual_particles.html
 

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