In QFT people exchange electrons during touching?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Philipsmett
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Electrons Exchange Qft
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of static electricity in the context of quantum field theory (QFT), specifically quantum electrodynamics (QED). Participants explore whether static electricity operates under classical explanations or if there is a more fundamental quantum explanation, particularly regarding the concept of electron exchange during physical contact.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that QED is the most fundamental theory of electromagnetic interactions, reducing to classical electromagnetism in certain situations.
  • There is uncertainty about the interpretation of electron transfer during physical contact, with some suggesting that electrons are transferred when people touch and experience a static shock.
  • Others argue that events do not occur "in QFT" or any theory, but rather in reality, with theories serving as models to describe these events.
  • It is noted that electrons are indistinguishable particles in quantum mechanics, which raises questions about the ability to confirm whether electrons have been exchanged during interactions.
  • Some participants highlight that while charge may balance during a spark or shock, the underlying mechanics remain complex and not fully resolved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interpretation of electron transfer and the role of QFT in explaining static electricity. No consensus is reached regarding the nature of these interactions or the implications of indistinguishable particles.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations in their understanding of the models and the implications of indistinguishability in quantum mechanics, but these remain unresolved within the discussion.

Philipsmett
Messages
78
Reaction score
4
Does in QFT static electricity work classically or is there a more fundamental explanation?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
QFT (specifically QED, quantum electrodynamics) is the most fundamental theory regarding the EM force and all effects associated with it. There is nothing more fundamental. QED reduces to classical EM in some situations, and in these situations you can choose to use classical EM if you so choose.

As to your question in the thread title about people exchanging electrons, it's not clear what you mean by this. Electrons are transferred from one person to another if they touch each other and experience a static shock, but this isn't usually regarded as an 'exchange' as far as I know.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Philipsmett
Drakkith said:
QFT (specifically QED, quantum electrodynamics) is the most fundamental theory regarding the EM force and all effects associated with it. There is nothing more fundamental. QED reduces to classical EM in some situations, and in these situations you can choose to use classical EM if you so choose.

As to your question in the thread title about people exchanging electrons, it's not clear what you mean by this. Electrons are transferred from one person to another if they touch each other and experience a static shock, but this isn't usually regarded as an 'exchange' as far as I know.
You want to say that in the QFT, the electron are also transfer from one person to another?
 
Philipsmett said:
You want to say that in the QFT, the electron are also transfer from one person to another?

When one person shocks another? Certainly.
 
Philipsmett said:
ou want to say that in the QFT, the electron are also transfer from one person to another?

Things don't happen "in QFT" or "in" any theory. They happen in reality. QFT is a theory that describes what happens using a particular model. For the case you are discussing, that model works out to be equivalent to the classical model of electromagnetism, but that doesn't mean the electron transfer "happens in" either model. It just happens, and the models describe it.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Philipsmett, bhobba and Buzz Bloom
PeterDonis said:
Things don't happen "in QFT" or "in" any theory. They happen in reality. QFT is a theory that describes what happens using a particular model. For the case you are discussing, that model works out to be equivalent to the classical model of electromagnetism, but that doesn't mean the electron transfer "happens in" either model. It just happens, and the models describe it.
Thank you
 
You can't even know if two electrons have been exchanged, because they're indistinguishable particles in QM.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Mentz114
hilbert2 said:
You can't even know if two electrons have been exchanged, because they're indistinguishable particles in QM.
This is true, of course, but in the case of a spark or shock, it seems that charge has been balanced
 

Similar threads

Graduate Importance of Densities in QFT
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Quantum Field Theory. Electric discharge
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
Undergrad How does an electron interact in QFT?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Graduate QFT Superposition of Final States
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Undergrad Understanding Electrons: The Difference Between QFT and QED
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Undergrad Qualitative description of particles in QFT
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
5K
Undergrad Electrons in Quantum Field Theory: A Composite Excitation
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Undergrad Is the electromagnetic field of an electron in QFT a real physical field?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Graduate Electron-Hole- or Many-Electron Exchange Interaction
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate Is there a principle of stationary action for QFT?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K