Mediating particles of forces.

In summary, there are four fundamental forces in the universe: electromagnetic, weak, strong, and gravitational. Each of these forces is mediated by a specific type of particle - photons for electromagnetic, W & Z bosons for weak, gluons for strong, and potentially gravitons for gravitational. However, there is a question of whether these mediating particles must travel faster than light in order for the forces to work, and some argue that these particles may not actually exist and are simply part of the mathematical formalism used to explain the forces.
  • #1
marcgrissz
19
0
We know that there are 4 foundamental forces and that they work thanks to mediating particles:
Electromagnetic= Photon
Weak= W & Z Bosons
Strong= Gluons
Gravitational= (Graviton)?

My question is:
If the electromagnetic field and unlimited range and a particle interacts with another even if they are years light farther in a moment, Doesn't the mediating particle have to be faster than light?
Same for the not-yet discovered Graviton.
 
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  • #2
Its this virtual particle thing - the so called mediating particles don't really exist.

But - yes - in the mathematical formalism we sum all paths including those traveling FTL.

But its simply the formalism - they don't really exist.

Thanks
Bill
 

FAQ: Mediating particles of forces.

1. What are mediating particles of forces?

Mediating particles of forces are subatomic particles that are responsible for carrying and transmitting forces between other particles. They are also known as gauge bosons and are predicted by the Standard Model of particle physics.

2. How do mediating particles of forces work?

Mediating particles work by exchanging energy and momentum between particles that interact with each other. For example, the photon is the mediating particle for the electromagnetic force and it carries the energy between charged particles.

3. What are the different types of mediating particles?

There are four known types of mediating particles, each responsible for different types of forces: the photon for electromagnetic force, the gluon for strong nuclear force, the W and Z bosons for weak nuclear force, and the hypothetical graviton for gravitational force.

4. How do scientists study mediating particles of forces?

Scientists study mediating particles through high-energy particle accelerators, such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. By colliding particles together at high speeds, scientists can observe the interactions between particles and study the behavior of mediating particles.

5. What is the significance of mediating particles of forces?

Mediating particles play a crucial role in understanding the fundamental forces of nature and how they interact with matter. They also provide insight into the behavior of particles at the smallest scales, helping us understand the building blocks of the universe.

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