Posted by
lrudolph on
Apr 19, 2013; 7:36pm
URL: http://friam.383.s1.nabble.com/How-do-forces-work-tp7582853p7582862.html
Russ asks:
> Is there a mechanistic-type explanation for how forces work? For example,
> two electrons repel each other. How does that happen? Other than saying
> that there are force fields that exert forces, how does the electromagnetic
> force accomplish its effects. What is the interface/link/connection between
> the force (field) and the objects on which it acts. Or is all we can say is
> that it just happens: it's a physics primitive?
I have the impression that the best you can say is that fields act on fields; fields are (the
only) first-class objects, and what you're calling "objects" are at best second-class--they
are epiphenomena of fields (or, of *the* field).
There is (or was when I last tried to look into this, about 40 years ago) a concept of
"current" (which I suppose is a generalization of our familiar "electric current", but if so
is such a generalization that I was unable to see the connection at all) which was in some way
involved with interactions of fields. Maybe a Google search on current and Jakiw would turn
up something useful, but probably not.
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