Question

The atoms that make up your body are mostly empty space, and structures such as the chair you’re sitting on are composed of atoms that are also mostly empty space. So why don’t you fall through the chair?

Name: Problem 58, Chapter 11: Conceptual Physics
Uploaded: 2019-08-30T09:11:33-08:00
Duration: 1 min
Channel: Sri Datta Vikas Buchemmavari
Description: The atoms that make up your body are mostly empty space, and structures such as the chair you’re sitting on are composed of atoms that are also mostly empty space. So why don’t you fall through the chair?

   The atoms that make up your body are mostly empty space, and structures such as the chair you’re sitting on are composed of atoms that are also mostly empty space. So why don’t you fall through the chair?

Conceptual Physics

Paul G. Hewitt 12th Edition

Chapter 11, Problem 58

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Sri Datta Vikas Buchemmavari

08/30/2019

Step 1

An atom is composed of a positively charged nucleus surrounded by a negatively charged electron cloud. This is represented as: \[ \text{Atom} = \text{Nucleus}^{+} + \text{Electron Cloud}^{-} \] Show more…

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The atoms that make up your body are mostly empty space, and structures such as the chair you’re sitting on are composed of atoms that are also mostly empty space. So why don’t you fall through the chair?

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Key Concepts

Pauli Exclusion Principle

A fundamental concept in quantum mechanics, the Pauli Exclusion Principle states that no two identical fermions (such as electrons) can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously. This principle contributes to the stability and structure of matter by ensuring that electrons arrange themselves in different energy levels, thereby reinforcing the repulsive forces that keep atomic structures intact and prevent collapse under contact.

Electromagnetic Force

This is the physical force responsible for the repulsion between electrons in neighboring atoms. Even though atoms are mostly empty space, the electrons in the outer shells of atoms repel each other when they come very close, which prevents the atoms in your body and the chair from overlapping and causing you to pass through the chair.

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