Effective Interactions are Effective Interactions

Abstract

The subject of effective interactions is introduced and applications in both quantum mechanics and quantum field theory are presented. In particular the use of chiral perturbation theory as an effective low energy description of QCD is developed and it is argued that such methods rally are effective in both the meson and baryonic sectors.

Comments: 52 page latex file, didactic lectures on effective field theory given at Hadron2000, Caraguatatuba, Brazil, April 2000