Virtual particle: Difference between revisions

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As a consequence of quantum mechanical [[uncertainty principle|uncertainty]], any object or process that exists for a limited time or in a limited volume cannot have a precisely defined energy or momentum. For this reason, virtual particles – which exist only temporarily as they are exchanged between ordinary particles – do not typically obey the [[On shell and off shell|mass-shell relation]]; the longer a virtual particle exists, the more the energy and momentum approach the mass-shell relation.

The lifetime of real particles is typically vastly longer than the lifetime of the virtual particles. Electromagnetic radiation (in the [[Near field and far field|far field]] of an accelerating charge falling off in amplitude by 1/r) consists of real photons which may travel light years between the emitter and absorber, but (Coulombic) electrostatic attraction and repulsion (inis thea nearrelatively fieldshort-range{{Dubious|reason=It ofis annot acceleratinga chargeshort-range thatforce, fallingthe offrange is infinite. E.g., in amplitudea system of only two electrons separated by 1/r^2)light isyears, athe relativelyelectrons short-range*will* repel each other|date=June 2023}} force that is a consequence of the exchange of virtual photons {{Citation needed|reason=Need an explicit source for why real particles cannot mediate short-range forces such as Coulombic interactions|date=February 2020}}.

== See also ==