What happens when two of the evanescent particles that Hawking

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of two evanescent particles overlapping each other and the likelihood of them participating in Hawking radiation. The answer suggests that the exact location and time of these particles appearing are close to overlapping due to quantum mechanical effects and that they would most likely annihilate shortly after if they appeared in the same space. The source that sparked the question is also provided for further reading.
  • #1
thepemberton
2
0
Hello,

I didn't know where else to ask this, but I'm quite curious. What happens when two of the evanescent particles that Hawking describes, pop into existence at the same place and the same instant effectively overlapping each other?

The source that sparked this question: http://www.economist.com/node/17144843?story_id=17144843&fsrc=rss#black_and_light"

Many thanks!
 
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  • #2


Hi thepemberton, welcome to PF. Due to quantum mechanical (QM) effects the exact location and time of these particles appearing are pretty close to overlapping, there is some probability distribution that describes their likely initial separations. If they---hypothetically---appeared exactly in the same space (keep in mind that an exact place isn't always well defined in QM) then they simply wouldn't be able to participate in hawking radiation. They would most likely annihilate shortly after as most 'evanescent' (virtual) particles do. Does that help?
 
  • #3


Thanks zhermes! That question was bugging me. I'll read up a little more on virtual particles!
 

Related to What happens when two of the evanescent particles that Hawking

1. What are evanescent particles?

Evanescent particles are virtual particles that are constantly popping in and out of existence in empty space. They are a manifestation of the uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics.

2. Who is Hawking and what is his contribution to the study of evanescent particles?

Stephen Hawking was a renowned physicist who made significant contributions to our understanding of the universe. His work on black holes and the nature of space-time led to the discovery of Hawking radiation, which is the emission of evanescent particles from black holes.

3. What happens when two evanescent particles collide?

When two evanescent particles collide, they can annihilate each other and create real particles with mass. This process is known as pair production and is an important phenomenon in particle physics.

4. Can we observe evanescent particles?

No, we cannot directly observe evanescent particles as they are constantly appearing and disappearing in space. However, their effects can be observed through experiments and mathematical calculations.

5. What implications do evanescent particles have for our understanding of the universe?

The existence of evanescent particles is a crucial aspect of quantum mechanics and our understanding of the fundamental nature of reality. They have also played a significant role in the development of theories such as the Standard Model and our understanding of the behavior of matter and energy at a subatomic level.

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