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I have read in many science popularizing articles that atoms are mostly empty space but on more research I have found that that is not the case since what interacts generally with the surrounding is the cloud of electrons or more precisely the roaming electrons which have a non-zero probability of being anywhere in principle.

This explanation is not clear to me.

Consider a hydrogen atom. The nucleus is of the order of a few fermis while the elctron on average moves at around 100,000 distances from it. This looks like a lot of empty space.

What is a clear explanation of this?

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    $\begingroup$ This closely related answer says basically "no, they're not." $\endgroup$
    – rob ♦
    Commented Oct 1, 2021 at 14:37
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    $\begingroup$ Possible duplicates: physics.stackexchange.com/q/267357/2451 and links therein. $\endgroup$
    – Qmechanic ♦
    Commented Oct 1, 2021 at 14:53
  • $\begingroup$ Will a crude mass density profile with radius from the center answer your question? You seem to have access to the relevant numbers. $\endgroup$
    – Cosmas Zachos
    Commented Oct 1, 2021 at 15:32
  • $\begingroup$ Can you be more specific what about the "electron cloud" explanation is not clear to you? $\endgroup$
    – ACuriousMind ♦
    Commented Oct 1, 2021 at 15:33
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    $\begingroup$ I would phrase it as: the atom is always mostly empty space, but none of the space in the atom is always empty. $\endgroup$
    – g s
    Commented Oct 1, 2021 at 17:08

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