Find the answer to the question of what a vacuum is not as easy as it seems at first glance.This problem has troubled scientists since ancient times, and today there are several approaches to explain the physical side of this phenomenon.
Physical vacuum under the names of "nothing", "air", "meaningful emptiness" is considered in many philosophical concepts.Almost all of these theories emphasize the fact that the main advantage of this "nothing" is that it, in contrast to the usual for us objects and phenomena, devoid of any physical limitations.It is therefore seen as something universal, uniting in itself all the existing characteristics and properties.
Another important aspect that stands out in many philosophical works, is that the physical vacuum is the ontological basis of all existing objects and phenomena.Even though in absolute terms it contains no space, it is potentially a factor that binds together all natural forces and processes.
Finally, if the transition to a purely scientific aspects, it may be noted that although the physical vacuum can not be seen, it is possible to prove the existence on the basis of numerous experiments.It should also include the Casimir effect, and so-called electron-positron pair, and the effect of Lamb-Rutherford.For example, a well-known Casimir effect is evidence that even in seemingly completely "empty" space, forces that cause the two plates converge.
Modern science examines the physical vacuum in terms of quantum field theory, according to which it is a fundamental (or basic) state of any occurring in the surrounding reality of the energy field.A large part of modern physicists concurs that any substance that comes from the "vacuum", from which derives its basic properties and characteristics.Many go further and try to prove that the physical vacuum - is that from which emerged our Universe.For example, the famous scientist Ya Zel'dovich in his work leading a number of provisions that such a concept is absolutely not contradict any of the public to date objective laws, but the law of conservation of baryon charge, that is, the balance between matter and antimatter.
In accordance with another contemporary approach, physical vacuum is the lowest energy state in which any real particles are simply lacking.At the same time, these researchers agree that this particular kind of matter is literally filled with all sorts of potential antiparticles and particles that can become real under the influence of external fields.
According to this concept, there is a continuous vacuum formation and disappearance of such pairs of elements as a positron and an electron, nucleon and antinucleon.They can not be registered (at least for now), but in the performance of a number of conditions, they become quite tangible.
