Scenario : I understand that if I push a boulder the mechanical structure of my body is being used. Cells, molecules, atoms and ultimately the electromagnetic force of my electrons are being used to push that boulder. Providing I have a footing between this rock and a harder place :-) and that I have the "strength" I can move that boulder.

Question : If photons are responsible for exchanging the EM force, are photons interacting between my atoms and the rock and the hard place ( All the atoms ) to allow my energy to be applied to the boulder, thus overcoming gravity for a moment ( no pun intended ) and allowing the boulder to move?

I'm very curious to understand what happens in such an case at the electromagnetic level. I get the newtonion view, but really wonder what happens at the EM level.

Scenario : I understand that if I push a boulder the mechanical structure of my body is being used. Cells, molecules, atoms and ultimately the electromagnetic force of my electrons are being used to push that boulder. Providing I have a footing between this rock and a harder place :-) and that I have the "strength" I can move that boulder.

Question : If photons are responsible for exchanging the EM force, are photons interacting between my atoms and the rock and the hard place ( All the atoms ) to allow my energy to be applied to the boulder, thus overcoming gravity for a moment ( no pun intended ) and allowing the boulder to move?

I'm very curious to understand what happens in such a case at the electromagnetic level. I get the Newtonian view, but really wonder what happens at the EM level.