- #1
NoelyG
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Independent virtual particle after "mind experiment" annihilation
Hello good people,
Probably a bit of a silly question, but I have been entertaining a bit of a thought experiment about the following. Consider the following:
1. A virtual photon is exchanged between two electrons to mediate the electro-magnetic force.
2. The photon can only travel at the speed of light, so during its travel time, one electron is completely annihilated
3. Does the virtual photon still exist, or wouldn't it have been emitted in the first place?
Probably a silly question, but if any of you could shed some light on this it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Hello good people,
Probably a bit of a silly question, but I have been entertaining a bit of a thought experiment about the following. Consider the following:
1. A virtual photon is exchanged between two electrons to mediate the electro-magnetic force.
2. The photon can only travel at the speed of light, so during its travel time, one electron is completely annihilated
3. Does the virtual photon still exist, or wouldn't it have been emitted in the first place?
Probably a silly question, but if any of you could shed some light on this it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!