How do you describe a Feynman diagram?

A Feynman diagram is a two-dimensional representation in which one axis, usually the horizontal axis, is chosen to represent space, while the second (vertical) axis represents time.

How do you make a Feynman diagram?

You must have exactly one arrow going into the vertex and exactly one arrow coming out. Your diagram should only contain connected pieces. That is every line must connect to at least one vertex. There shouldn’t be any disconnected part of the diagram.

Why Feynman diagrams are so important?

In addition to their value as a mathematical tool, Feynman diagrams provide deep physical insight into the nature of particle interactions. Particles interact in every way available; in fact, intermediate virtual particles are allowed to propagate faster than light.

What makes a Feynman diagram real or virtual?

Particles entering or leaving a Feynman diagram correspond to real particles , while intermediate lines represent virtual particles . Real particles must satisfy the energy-momentum relation. A Feynman diagram can be transcribed to a complex amplitude using the Feynman rules.

How do Feynman diagrams work?

Particle-path interpretation. A Feynman diagram is a representation of quantum field theory processes in terms of particle interactions. The particles are represented by the lines of the diagram, which can be squiggly or straight, with an arrow or without, depending on the type of particle.

What does Feynman diagram mean?

A Feynman diagram is a contribution of a particular class of particle paths, which join and split as described by the diagram. More precisely, and technically, a Feynman diagram is a graphical representation of a perturbative contribution to the transition amplitude or correlation function of a quantum mechanical or statistical field theory.