The modern picture paints the vacuum as “something in between” the ancient pictures in which the objects may influence others “directly”; and the picture that requires a “material in between” for the interactions to occur. Moreover, quantum field theory shows that every field force has a particle (quantum of the field such as the photon) and every particle is associated with a field that influences the interactions between other particles (e.g. because of virtual electrons, quanta of the Dirac field).

— All interactions in the Universe

— Lubos Motl

2013.01.18 Friday ACHK