if the existence of electrons were precluded from quantum electrodynamic theory what would be the result.?

Question

In addition if you are familiar with the personage of Richard Feynman, how do you think he would teach the new electron precluded theory based on your experience with the famous Feynman lectures of the 60's called "Six Easy Pieces".

Answer 1

What a broad question. I'll try to answer...

QED (quantum electrodynamics) is the part of quantum mechanics dealing with the photonic interactions of a charged particle and its antiparticle. So as such the mathematics still have applicability without electrons.

you can use protons and anti-protons, for example. The reason electrons and positrons are used is because of the simplicity of them. There are no other constituent parts to electrons and positrons, unlike protons, which are made up of quarks, and having only one thing to worry about simplifies the equations greatly.

So its easiest to do the math with electrons.

But in the end the question i think is moot. QED does not attempt to describe the why of electron existence, only how electrons and positrons interact with photons (electromagnetic radiation). So QED would never actually predict that the electron doesn't exist.

As for the question on how Feynman would teach it, who knows. I've listened to his lectures, and I'm sure it would be the same flamboyant style that he gave all the others in.

Although i have to say I don't think he would teach it since we know so much about the electron, and since it fits into QED so nicely and the mathematics are incredibly accurate as to the electrons behavior, including such strange behavior like the anomalous magnetic moment of an electron.

Now if you remove the electron from ALL physics, not just QED, we have a problem.