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Quantum electrodynamics explains lightmatter interactions from "summary" of The Quantum Universe by Brian Cox,Jeff Forshaw

Quantum electrodynamics is the theory that describes how light and matter interact with each other. This theory is based on the principles of quantum mechanics and special relativity, and it has been incredibly successful in explaining a wide range of phenomena, from the behavior of atoms to the interactions between particles in particle accelerators. One of the key ideas in quantum electrodynamics is that particles can interact with each other by exchanging virtual particles. These virtual particles are not like the particles we are familiar with, such as electrons or photons; instead, they are quantum fluctuations in the electromagnetic field that mediates the interactions between charged particles. When two charged particles interact, they exchange virtual photons, which are the quanta of the electromagnetic field. These virtual photons carry the electromagnetic force between the particles, causing them to attract or repel each other. This exchange of virtual photons is what underlies all electromagnetic interactions, including the interactions between light and matter. In quantum electrodynamics, the behavior of particles and fields is described by a set of mathematical equations known as the Feynman rules. These rules allow physicists to calculate the probability of different particle interactions and make predictions about the outcomes of experiments. By applying these rules, physicists have been able to make incredibly precise predictions that have been confirmed by experiment time and time again.
  1. Quantum electrodynamics provides a powerful framework for understanding the interactions between light and matter at the most fundamental level. It is a theory that has been tested and validated in countless experiments, and it continues to be a cornerstone of modern physics. By studying how particles interact through the exchange of virtual photons, physicists have gained deep insights into the nature of matter and the forces that govern the universe.
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The Quantum Universe

Brian Cox

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