Linked Questions

15 votes
8 answers
5k views

If atoms are mostly vacuum, why are things so rigid around us? [duplicate]

I can't say confidently that an atom is mostly vacuum, but I am somewhat sure of it because electrons and nucleons cover little space, and everything other than these elementary particles in an atom ...
Shreyansh Pathak's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
527 views

If there are huge gaps between atoms relatively to their size, why can we touch things? [duplicate]

Most of the volume of an object actually consists of empty space rather than molecules. So why don’t solid objects move through each other?
Evgeny Sizov's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
590 views

Why can't we run through walls like Harry Potter? [duplicate]

This is a very simple and stupid question but ever since I watched the first Harry Potter and saw Harry and his friends run through a wall at King's Cross Station I have wondered what keeps us from ...
qmd's user avatar
  • 859
-3 votes
2 answers
394 views

Why don't we fall through a chair when sitting? [duplicate]

I'm a high school drop out so excuse my grammar. I have done extensive reading in Astronomy and Cosmology, and came across this article With the title "Physicist Are Dumbfounded why we don't fall ...
Genesis1b4's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
283 views

If 99% of an atom empty, and our body is made of atoms, does that mean 99% of our body is empty? [duplicate]

If 99% of an atom empty, and if we say that our body is made of atoms stacked together, then why is our body a solid object, rather than 99% hollow. I have one probable answer that I think might be ...
Kraken's user avatar
  • 129
-2 votes
1 answer
156 views

Are we all vacuum? [duplicate]

In this part [2:25 - 3:00] of the lecture, the professor Walter Lewin says that the human body is nothing but vacuum but he did not give a proof of his sayings. Could anybody please provide some ...
ecdhe's user avatar
  • 103
1 vote
1 answer
91 views

Free space problem in matter [duplicate]

We know that atom is ninety nine percent empty and all matter is made up of matter then why matter is mostly empty ?
ISHAN KAUSHAL's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
90 views

Why not say a scalar potential as a function representing the matter itself? [duplicate]

[Question] Why not say a scalar potential as a function representing the matter itself? At first glance, this idea seems to make the duality, which is the biggest difficulty in understanding quantum ...
SOQEH's user avatar
  • 79
1 vote
0 answers
51 views

Isn't this Wired chemist totally wrong about why we can touch things? [duplicate]

The video: https://youtu.be/2xVBAqybA_8?t=185 She got the question: "if atoms are primarily composed of empty space, why can't you pass your hand through a solid object?" Her answer is: ...
user avatar
140 votes
5 answers
38k views

What does it mean for two objects to "touch"?

If you've ever been annoyingly poked by a geek, you might be familiar with the semi-nerdy obnoxious response of "I'm not actually touching you! The electrons in the atoms of my skin are just ...
Thomas Shields's user avatar
31 votes
12 answers
7k views

Why is everything not invisible if 99% space is empty?

If every object is $99$% empty space, how is reflection possible? Why doesn't light just pass through? Also light passes as a straight line, doesn't it? The wave nature doesn't say anything about its ...
Nirvana's user avatar
  • 435
30 votes
6 answers
7k views

If particles are points, then aren't atoms empty space?

Zero dimensional points do not take up space, so then wouldn't everything in the universe be literally empty? Or is there something that I'm missing?
user avatar
36 votes
5 answers
14k views

Why is the nucleus so small and why is the atom 99.999% empty space?

A nucleus consists of protons and neutrons. Both are extremely heavy compared to electrons. Then how come they are contained within an extremely tiny space? And why does the atom consist of 99.999% ...
Shades88's user avatar
  • 461
15 votes
4 answers
3k views

Is it true that the interior of an atom is mostly vacuum or empty space?

You often see it written or hear it said that the interior of atoms is mostly empty. This is an attempt to convey something about the nature of atoms to a non-expert audience. But is it right? Isn't ...
Andrew Steane's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
4k views

Why is every particle a sphere?

I was wondering why is everything in this universe, I mean atoms and well quarks and photons and what not some form of sphere. Is there any exploitation to the sphere being perfect and only thing for ...
Amey Shukla's user avatar

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