In quantum mechanics, the concept of space is fundamentally tied to fields and particles. According to the standard model of particle physics, all particles are associated with corresponding quantum fields that permeate all of space.
In quantum field theory, particles are not considered as discrete entities moving through empty space but rather as excitations or vibrations of their respective fields. Each type of particle corresponds to a specific field, such as the electron field, the photon field, or the Higgs field. These fields are continuous throughout space and time.
The fields themselves are described by mathematical equations, known as field equations, which govern their behavior. The solutions to these equations represent the possible states or configurations of the fields. When a field is in its ground state or lowest energy state, it corresponds to the absence of particles. However, when the field is excited or in a higher energy state, it manifests as particles.
Particles can be created or destroyed by the interactions of their respective fields. For example, in particle collisions, energy can be transferred from one field to another, resulting in the creation or annihilation of particles. These interactions are described by the principles of quantum mechanics, including the concept of wave-particle duality, where particles can exhibit both particle-like and wave-like properties.
In summary, the quantum mechanical explanation for the existence of space involves the presence of quantum fields that permeate space. These fields give rise to particles as excitations or vibrations, and the interactions between these fields govern the creation and annihilation of particles. The concept of particles as excitations of fields provides a framework for understanding the fundamental constituents of matter and their behavior in the quantum realm.