Quantum electrodynamics (QED) is a quantum field theory that describes the interaction between charged particles and electromagnetic fields. In QED, the conservation of charge has a profound importance in understanding the behavior of subatomic particles and the fundamental forces at play. Let's delve deeper into the concept of charge conservation in QED.

One example that illustrates the conservation of charge in QED is the process of electron-positron annihilation. When an electron and a positron (its antiparticle) collide, they can annihilate each other to produce photons, which are the particles of light. This process obeys the law of conservation of charge, as the total charge of the initial electron-positron pair is equal to the total charge of the resulting photons.

Another example is the scattering of electrons by another charged particle, such as a proton. In this scenario, the conservation of charge ensures that the total charge before and after the interaction remains constant. The exchange of virtual photons between the electron and the proton mediates the scattering process, preserving the conservation of charge.

Tags: quantum electrodynamics, charge conservation, subatomic particles