Static forces and virtual-particle exchange: Difference between revisions

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Static force fields are fields, such as a simple electric, magnetic or gravitational fields, that exist without excitations. The [[Perturbation theory (quantum mechanics)|most common approximation method]] that physicists use for [[Scattering theory|scattering calculations]] can be interpreted as static forces arising from the interactions between two bodies mediated by [[virtual particle]]s, particles that exist for only a short time determined by the [[uncertainty principle]]. The virtual particles, also known as [[force carrier]]s, are [[boson]]s with a particular type of boson associated with each type of field.<ref>{{cite book | author=A. Zee | title=Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell| publisher= Princeton University| year=2003 | isbn=0-691-01019-6}} pp. 16-37</ref>

The virtual-particle description of static forces is capable of identifying the spatial form of the forces, such as the inverse-square behavior in [[Newton's law of universal gravitation]] and in [[Coulomb's law]]. It is also able to predict whether the forces are attractive or repulsive for like bodies.