Can an Electron's Angular Momentum Change by Absorbing Virtual Photons?

In summary, virtual particles are particles that exist temporarily due to the uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics. They interact with other particles through the exchange of force-carrying particles and cannot be observed directly. In the vacuum of space, they contribute to a fluctuation in the energy density known as vacuum energy. While they are not important in our everyday lives, they play a crucial role in understanding the behavior of particles and fundamental forces.
  • #1
scope
61
0
i wonder whether an electron is absorbing virtual photons because it is in a electromagnetic field, would that mean that it would change its angular momentum by hbar?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
An electron never changes its intrinsic angular momentum, its spin. (The direction changes, but not the amount.) That is a fundamental property of the particle. Certainly the total angular momentum can and does change under the influence of the EM field.
 

Related to Can an Electron's Angular Momentum Change by Absorbing Virtual Photons?

1. What are virtual particles?

Virtual particles are particles that are thought to exist temporarily as a result of the uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics. They are not observable directly, but their effects can be seen in the behavior of other particles.

2. How do virtual particles interact with other particles?

Virtual particles interact with other particles through the exchange of force-carrying particles, such as photons or gluons. This interaction is known as the virtual particle exchange force.

3. Can virtual particles be observed?

No, virtual particles cannot be observed directly as they have extremely short lifetimes. However, their effects can be observed through experiments and calculations in quantum mechanics.

4. What is the role of virtual particles in the vacuum of space?

In the vacuum of space, virtual particles are constantly being created and annihilated due to the uncertainty principle. This creates a fluctuation in the energy density of the vacuum, known as vacuum energy.

5. Are virtual particles important in our everyday lives?

Virtual particles do not play a significant role in our everyday lives as their effects are only noticeable at the subatomic level. However, they are crucial in understanding the behavior of particles and the fundamental forces that govern our universe.

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
946
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
6
Views
616
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
29
Views
2K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
3
Views
818
Replies
1
Views
791
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
15
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
852
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
10
Views
1K
Replies
19
Views
1K
Back
Top