How many electron positron pairs are created

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SUMMARY

In a cubic meter of vacuum, zero electron-positron pairs are created every second. The concept of virtual particles popping in and out of existence is a misconception, as no established theory supports this notion. The vacuum state in Quantum Field Theory (QFT) is defined as absolutely stable, representing the ground state of lowest energy, where energy conservation prevents spontaneous particle creation. Misunderstandings surrounding vacuum fluctuations stem from a misinterpretation of quantum mechanics terminology.

PREREQUISITES
  • Quantum Field Theory (QFT)
  • Understanding of vacuum states
  • Knowledge of energy conservation principles
  • Familiarity with quantum mechanics terminology
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  • Research the concept of vacuum states in Quantum Field Theory
  • Study the principles of energy conservation in quantum mechanics
  • Explore the misconceptions surrounding virtual particles
  • Learn about vacuum fluctuations and their implications in quantum physics
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Physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the foundational concepts of Quantum Field Theory and the nature of vacuum states.

Admiller
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How many electron positron pairs are created every second in a cubic meter of vacuum?
 
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Zero.
 
Don't these virtual partials pop in and out of existence in a vacuum?
 
Admiller said:
Don't these virtual partials pop in and out of existence in a vacuum?
Google "quantum foam" and you'll see the speculative nature of that theory.
 
Quantum foam does seem very speculative but aren't these particle antiparticle pairs responsible for vacuum fluctuations?
 
The short answer is that you've been lied to. No theory describes the vacuum as that "sea of particles constantly popping into and out of existence" that popsci authors (and some overly romantic actual-sci ones) seem to like so much.
 
The vacuum state, by definition, is the one state in QFT which is absolutely stable, and nothing pops in and out of existence, because it's the ground state, the state of lowest energy. If there's no energy above the ground state there's nothing excited which could pop out of existence again nor can there be anything pop into existence spontaneously, because energy is conserved.
 
In normal language, the word "fluctuation" means "variation with time". In QM language, it's more like a synonym for "uncertainty" or "indefiniteness." Vacuum fluctuation does not involve variation with time.
 

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