How do photons represent electromagnetic fields over large distances with many particles?

Context

Electromagnetic fields extend infinitely and create interactions between every charged particle. If the electromagnetic force is mediated by photons, does that mean that every electron is constantly exchanging photons with every other electron within its light cone? This seems like an awful lot of photons. Or is this just a problem caused by relativity meeting quantum mechanics?

Simple Answer

  • Imagine a pond with ripples spreading out from a pebble. Photons are like these ripples, carrying the electromagnetic field over large distances.
  • Just like the ripples can interact with other objects in the pond, photons can interact with charged particles.
  • Every electron is constantly exchanging photons with other electrons, even if they're far apart.
  • This exchange of photons is how the electromagnetic force works, allowing charged particles to interact with each other.
  • Relativity and quantum mechanics do meet here, but this doesn't create a problem. Instead, it helps us understand how photons can represent electromagnetic fields.

Detailed Answer

Electromagnetic fields are like ripples in a pond. They spread out from charged particles, and they can interact with other charged particles. These ripples are called photons.

Imagine shining a flashlight in a dark room. The light from the flashlight is made up of photons. These photons travel through the air until they hit an object, like a wall or a book.

When the photons hit the object, they transfer their energy to the object. This is how the light from the flashlight illuminates the object.

In the same way, photons carry the electromagnetic field from one charged particle to another. When the photons interact with a charged particle, they transfer their energy to the particle. This is how the electromagnetic force works.

Every electron is constantly exchanging photons with other electrons. This is how electrons interact with each other, even if they are far apart.

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