We believe that the objects around us are solid and tangible. The chair where you sit, the desk where you work, even your own body, seem unbreakable. However, quantum physics reveals an astonishing truth: matter is, for the most part, empty space.
Every atom, the fundamental unit of everything that exists, is composed of a central nucleus (containing protons and neutrons) and electrons orbiting around it. What is shocking is the proportion between these components. If the nucleus of an atom were the size of a pea in the center of a football stadium, the electrons would be dust particles swirling miles away. Everything else between the nucleus and the electrons is, literally, empty.
Studies have calculated that, approximately, 99.99999% of an atom is empty space. So, why do we not fall through things? The answer lies in the fundamental forces. Although electrons are tiny, their electromagnetic energy fields repel each other with considerable force. When two "solid" objects come into contact, what they actually feel are electron clouds repelling one another, preventing atoms from overlapping.
This fascinating property of matter not only redefines our understanding of solidity, but is also fundamental to chemistry, materials physics, and the development of advanced technologies. It invites us to reflect on the illusory nature of what we perceive and how science helps us uncover the universe's deepest and most counterintuitive truths.
Source: Scientific American / Physics Today / Quantum Physics Texts
