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When the space inside an atom is described as "empty," what that refers to is mass. Most of the mass of the atom is concentrated in the tiny center, the nucleus. So most of the space inside the atom is devoid of mass. However, that does not mean there is nothing inside the atom.

The "empty space" inside an atom is not actually empty. It is filled with extremely strong electric fields produced by the positive nucleus and the negative electrons. These fields interact with the electromagnetic radiation that corresponds to visible light. This interaction makes it impossible for light to travel through most atoms without being absorbed or deflected. Therefore, you can't see through most substances.

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9y ago
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6mo ago

While atoms are mostly empty space, they contain positively charged nuclei that repel each other when objects get close enough. This electromagnetic repulsion prevents objects from passing through each other. Additionally, the electrons surrounding the nuclei also repel each other due to their negative charge, providing further resistance.

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16y ago

Experiments by Thomas Rutherford demonstrated that alpha particles traveled through a gold filament with only slight deflection except for the rare particle that got deflect through extreme angles. The model that was devised to explain this was something mostly empty space with a dense center.

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15y ago

Atoms are mostly empty space because there is a lot of space between an atom's nucleus and its electrons. But the reason why we dont fall through is the same reason your finger cant go through a moving propeller without it being hit by it. The discovery of such a feature was made by Rutherford in his alpha particle experiment. As the majority of alpha particles shot at a thin layer of gold went through it, this suggested that atoms consist mostly of empty space.

Though this is not an answer to your question, I might suggest that the repulsive force between electrons may cause such an effect. The answer might be also in the quantum theory, as the theory's main presumption is the energy levels, i.e, that each electron jumps from one e-level to another, thus imposing a restricted movement on electrons and increasing the space area inside the atom.

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10y ago

The electrical resistance between subatomic particles is far reaching from the atomic nucleus and electron cloud. Electrons are also moving very fast. The probability cloud that determines where the electrons could be, the orbitals and the nucleus itself, are still not solid objects. Keep in mind under are current scientific understanding, no particles are "solid", they are an electromagnetic force.

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10y ago

The electromagnetic and strong nuclear forces are very powerful and repulsive at close ranges. Put two atomic nuclei near each other and they will push away from each other. Similarly if you put two negatively charged particles near each other they will also repel at very close distances.

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9y ago

Because we know that the nucleus of an atom is very very small but this is surrounded by a cloud of electrons. The distance between the nucleus and the electron cloud is HUGE meaning that an atom is 99.999999999999% empty space.

When this space is taken away (as happens when a star collapses into a neutron star), something that was much bigger than the Sun becomes a body barely larger than a city).

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16y ago

It's because of the electrostatic force between a nuclei and electron(s).

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Q: Why don't objects pass through one another since atoms are mostly empty space?
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Why does light goes through transparent objects and translucent object?

Light can pass through transparent objects because their atoms are arranged in a way that allows light to travel without being absorbed. In translucent objects, the atoms are arranged in a less orderly manner, which causes light to scatter as it passes through, making the object appear cloudy or opaque.


What force keeps things from falling through surfaces?

The electromagnetic force between atoms and molecules in surfaces prevents objects from falling through them. When two objects come in contact, the repulsion between the electrons in the surface atoms and the object's electrons creates a barrier that resists penetration. This force is what gives surfaces their solidity and prevents objects from passing through them.


Can all objects contain heat?

Yes, all objects have the potential to contain heat. The amount of heat an object can hold depends on its specific properties, such as size, material, and temperature. Heat is a form of energy that can be stored in objects through various processes like conduction, convection, and radiation.


What do transparent objects do?

Transparent objects allow light to pass through them without scattering the light, enabling us to see through them clearly. This property is due to the arrangement of atoms and molecules within the material, which allows light to move through with minimal absorption or reflection. Examples of transparent objects include glass, water, and certain plastics.


What is the force that resists the movement of one surface against another?

Friction is the force that resists the movement of one surface against another. It occurs when two objects are in contact and moving relative to each other. Friction is caused by the interactions between the atoms and molecules on the surfaces of the objects.

Related questions

Why can't humans walk through objects if the atoms in your bodies are mostly empty space?

Because the outsides of all atoms are negatively charged so they repel when they come close.


Why is it impossible to slide solid objects through each other given that atoms are mostly empty space?

The electromagnetic field surrounding each atom repels all other atoms.


Transfer of thermal energy through atoms contacting other atoms?

Not likely. Atoms are mostly empty space.


Do atoms move between your bodies and other objects?

No, atoms typically remain within the bounds of objects. While some atoms can transfer between bodies through processes like breathing or consuming food, they do not freely move between objects without a specific mechanism for transfer.


Why can't I walk through solid objects?

There simply isn't enough space for your atoms to pass through the atoms of a solid object. You can swim in water and walk through a gas because the particles are so spread apart, but you cant walk through solid objects because the particle configuration is extremely dense.


Why does light goes through transparent objects and translucent object?

Light can pass through transparent objects because their atoms are arranged in a way that allows light to travel without being absorbed. In translucent objects, the atoms are arranged in a less orderly manner, which causes light to scatter as it passes through, making the object appear cloudy or opaque.


What force keeps things from falling through surfaces?

The electromagnetic force between atoms and molecules in surfaces prevents objects from falling through them. When two objects come in contact, the repulsion between the electrons in the surface atoms and the object's electrons creates a barrier that resists penetration. This force is what gives surfaces their solidity and prevents objects from passing through them.


He atoms do attract one another weakly through?

Dispersion forces


Can all objects contain heat?

Yes, all objects have the potential to contain heat. The amount of heat an object can hold depends on its specific properties, such as size, material, and temperature. Heat is a form of energy that can be stored in objects through various processes like conduction, convection, and radiation.


How metal atoms bond to one another?

They bond through extream temperture.


How is a force transmitted from one mass to another mass?

Given a collision, one object can transfer its force to another with simple contact.The muscles in my arm generate a force causing my arm to move. Let's say my hand hits a volleyball I just tossed in the air. The force in my arm is now transmitted to the ball (some of that force is lost to friction, but that's nearly negligible).If you want to know how exactly this is possible, just look at the atoms. The valence electrons on the surface of the objects repel each other, preventing the objects from phasing through one another. Basically, I pushed it's atoms with my atoms.


Why protons are not transferred during rubbing of two objects?

Adding or removing protons would change the atoms from one element to another.