2006-09-19 11:36:08 · 8 answers · asked by dread 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
No.
2006-09-19 11:39:37 · answer #1 · answered by stevewbcanada 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What we usually mean by "solid" is a bunch of particles that are bound together in a partially or totally crystalline state, so that the electromagnetic forces at the boundary prevent the intrusion of other material. This definition includes even non-atomic matter, like neutron star surfaces.
If that's what you mean, then no. Space is mostly vacuum and contains at most a small amount of ionized material.
However...in various field theories, there could be a "vacuum" that is in a much higher energy state than our usual vacuum. Such a high-energy vacuum would have prevailed before the epoch of inflation during the first nanosecond after the big bang. If you could somehow get some of that vacuum, and keep it stable, you would find that the interface between that high energy vacuum and normal space was impenetrable. To push something into that vacuum would require enormous energy, and it would, perhaps, seem "solid". That interface would not be stable and if you had such a vacuum you'd find it blowing up on you with enormous energy. So don't try it at home...
2006-09-19 18:56:46 · answer #2 · answered by cosmo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By definition, the answer must be no. "Solid" refers to a particular state of matter, as in matter can be in a liquid state (e.g. water), a gaseous state (e.g. steam), or a solid state (e.g. ice). Space by definition is not matter, so the term solid, as used by a physicist, cannot apply to space.
If you mean the term in a more colloquial sense, perhaps to mean that space if fixed and unchangeable, science tells us that space is not "solid" in that sense either. Einstein's theory of relativity predicts that space is warped by mass, and this has been experimentally confirmed.
2006-09-19 18:44:38 · answer #3 · answered by Jack D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. But apparent solids can be (largely) space when you get down to quantum sizes (atomic structures).
2006-09-19 18:40:01 · answer #4 · answered by Search first before you ask it 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not by our current definition of solid no
2006-09-19 19:38:14 · answer #5 · answered by Adam 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it could be solid "dark matter" that we currently can't detect.
2006-09-19 18:58:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. Space is mostly empty. Matter is mostly empty too. Space is far, far, far emptier than matter.
2006-09-19 19:30:17 · answer #7 · answered by Otis F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it all comes down to atomic density...not a good question...look at periodic table
2006-09-19 20:32:31 · answer #8 · answered by mael333ca 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋