In line with quantum theory, which says that everything has to come in lumps, the forces work by the exchange of particles (lumps).
The particles are called gauge bosons and they are called virtual particles because they only exist as messengers between two particles carrying the force. They can never exist on their own because they would be meaningless.
To imagine repulsion caused by exchanging particles, think of two skaters approaching each other on ice.
· A throws a heavy ball to B.
· Conservation of momentum means that A is pushed away from B.
· B catches the ball from A.
· Conservation of momentum means that B is pushed away from A.
The particles are called gauge bosons and they are called virtual particles because they only exist as messengers between two particles carrying the force. They can never exist on their own because they would be meaningless.
To imagine repulsion caused by exchanging particles, think of two skaters approaching each other on ice.
· A throws a heavy ball to B.
· Conservation of momentum means that A is pushed away from B.
· B catches the ball from A.
· Conservation of momentum means that B is pushed away from A.
