Are quantum fields continuous or discrete?

According to our best laws of physics, the fundamental building blocks of Nature are not discrete particles at all. Instead they are continuous fluid-like substances, spread throughout all of space. We call these objects fields.

Why is energy discrete?

The discrete energy levels arise because electrons are bound to the atom, and thus have a wave function that must asymptotically go to zero at large distances from the nucleus.

When there is a discrete packets of energy what is being emitted?

In 1900, he proposed that light and other electromagnetic waves were emitted in discrete packets of energy, which he called “quanta”, which can only take on certain discrete values (multiples of a certain constant, which now bears the name the “Planck constant”).

Why is quantum discrete?

Quantum mechanics is discrete to the extent that action is quantised in units of h. This leads to things like discrete energy levels in atomic energy levels, molecular vibrations etc. However, action involves two variables, and varying one leads to a corresponding variation in the other.

Are quantum fields discrete?

While the state space of a single quantum harmonic oscillator contains all the discrete energy states of one oscillating particle, the state space of a quantum field contains the discrete energy levels of an arbitrary number of particles.

Why is energy discrete in quantum mechanics?

Atoms and molecules have discrete energy levels, as a result of the quantum-mechanical nature of the motion of the electrons. An atom in the lower state 1 can become excited while absorbing a photon, at a rate BIn1 that is proportional to the intensity per unit frequency I (also called the spectral intensity).

What is discrete energy levels?

The discrete energy levels of an atom means the different energies by different electron paths. A hydrogen atom for instance has the energy 13.6eV for the electron path n = 1.

What is discrete field theory?

In particular, we construct a conserved discrete energy-momentum tensor, approximating the continuum one at least for free fields. The theory is stated in topological terms, such as coboundary and products of cochains.

How do quantum fields work?

In a quantum field theory, what we perceive as particles are excitations of the quantum field itself. In it, two fields exist: the electromagnetic field and the “electron field”. These two fields continuously interact with each other, energy and momentum are transferred, and excitations are created or destroyed.

What does quantum energy mean?

In chemistry and physics, quantum refers to a single packet of matter or energy. In practical use, it refers to the minimum amount of energy required for a change or the minimum value of any physical property in an interaction. Quantum is the singular form of the word.