Virtual particles play a role in interactions from "summary" of The Quantum Theory of Fields by Steven Weinberg,Weinberg S
In quantum field theory, the interactions between particles are described by the exchange of particles that are not observed as free particles. These particles are known as virtual particles, and they play a crucial role in mediating the forces between the particles that we do observe. Although virtual particles are not directly detectable, their effects can be seen in the interactions between observable particles. The concept of virtual particles arises from the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics, which allows for the temporary creation of particle-antiparticle pairs out of the vacuum. These virtual particles can exist for a very short time before annihilating each other, but during their brief existence, they can influence the behavior of observable particles. When two particles interact, they can exchange virtual particles that carry momentum, energy, and other properties. These virtual particles can change the trajectories of the interacting particles and affect the outcome of the interaction. For example, in the electromagnetic interaction between two charged particles, the exchange of virtual photons mediates the force between them. In quantum field theory, the interactions between particles are described in terms of Feynman diagrams, which represent all possible ways in which particles can exchange virtual particles. By calculating the amplitudes of different Feynman diagrams, physicists can predict the probabilities of various outcomes in particle interactions. The role of virtual particles in interactions is not limited to electromagnetism but extends to other fundamental forces as well, such as the weak and strong nuclear forces. In the quantum theory of fields, virtual particles are essential for understanding the nature of forces and interactions at the most fundamental level.- Virtual particles play a crucial role in mediating interactions between observable particles in quantum field theory. By exchanging virtual particles, particles can influence each other's behavior and determine the outcomes of their interactions. This concept is central to our understanding of the fundamental forces that govern the behavior of particles in the universe.
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