This discussion centers on the nature of virtual particles and their implications for vacuum energy and matter. It establishes that virtual particles can appear in a vacuum but do not remain as real particles, thus questioning the concept of infinite matter. The Casimir effect is highlighted as a real phenomenon that demonstrates measurable forces between metallic plates due to quantum vacuum fluctuations, indicating that while vacuum energy can be observed, it does not equate to the existence of infinite matter.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the fundamental concepts of vacuum energy and particle physics.
No, they don'tDonut said:Hi guys I have a question for you. Virtual particles can appear anywhere and when they have enough energy they turn into real.
Since it doesn't happen that question makes no senseDonut said:And if it happens long enough in a vacuum, will it remain a vacuum?
If the universe is infinite, then matter is infinite, but not having anything to do with virtual particlesDonut said:If not, then is matter infinite?
Please post reference links when making assertions like this at PF. Please make sure that the references are to credible scientific articles and not "Pop-Sci" articles. Thanks.Donut said:Virtual particles can appear anywhere and when they have enough energy they turn into real.
phinds said:No, they don't
AGAINBob Neurone said:In the Casimir effect, a force is actually measured between the two metallic plates. This was physically interpreted based on quantum vacuum fluctuations. By removing wavelength beyond a threshold the virtual particles ...