Definition:Action at a Distance
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Definition
Action at a distance is the process whereby bodies act on one another without being in actual physical contact.
Examples
Gravitational Field
A gravitational field is an example of a physical process which acts at a distance.
Exchange of Virtual Particles
Particularly in the field of nuclear physics, the phenomenon of action at a distance can be modelled by means of exchange of virtual particles.
Historical Note
The phenomenon of action at a distance was at one time explained by the existence of aethers.
However, since the middle of the $18$th century, this was replaced by the concept of fields of forces permeating the physical universe.
Also see
- Results about action at a distance can be found here.
Sources
- 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): action at a distance
- 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): action at a distance