Why can't two objects take up the same place at the same time???

Answer 1

There is a very peculiar concept in quantum mechanics called "superposition" where the exact location of a subatomic particle is not determined. It may be that when two particles are in a state of "superposition" you could say that that two objects could be in the same place at the same time because you can not determine precisely where each particle actually is. As soon as you can make a measurement to determine where one particle actually is, than naturally you will not find the two particles occupying the same space at the same time. I know that this is a very odd answer but I think it is correct. Check with a particle physicist. I think SLAC (Stanford Linear Accelerator) has a web site where you can ask the brains over there a question. I also think that there are several other sites on the web where you can ask question of professional physicists. Or, just do a web search on the word superposition. Check it out.

P.S. Superposition and the Pauli Exclusion Principle definitely seem contradictory. I don't know how that contradiction is resolved.

Answer 2

The electrostatic fields of the outer orbital electrons of the matter on the surfaces of the two objects repel each other so strongly that the molecules cannot get past the interface.

At least not instantly. Rock salt on ice. Eventually, both occupy the same space. But again, only on a macro level. The salt is ionized, and still held in place by the electrical fields of the water molecules. The atoms do not interpenetrate. They can't.

This is why neutrons are used to cueball atoms apart, the electric fields do not affect them.

Answer 3

You can compress two gallons of air into a one-gallon space. The molecules of each occupy the space, but with a higher pressure. Most materials are not compressible, so a more narrow question would be, "Why does water have the density it has?" Use the dimensions given in the reference and see how close together individual water molecules are in solid or liquid form. If the limiting factor isn't the repulsive force between the positively charged nuclei, I don't know what it is. To me, this is the real question.

Spacing of atoms or molecules in a crystalline structure is determined by the properties of the structure.

At the atomic level, the electrons of an atom occupy a 'cloud' around the nucleus. It's not clear whether it's even meaningful to talk about the position of an individual electron within an atom.

At a quantum level, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle limits what you can know about the position of a particle.

Answer 4

I believe you are looking for the "Pauli Exclusion Principle," which is a principle of quantum mechanics developed by Wolfgang Pauli in 1925. It states that no two identical fermions may occupy the same quantum state simultaneously. It is explained more thoroughly here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauli_exclusion_principle

Answer 5

More than two objects can take up the same place at the same time: e.g.: gases, light, etc. but if its a big body like stars and planets. They will have their own place. But on those bodies are other objects of mix varieties.

Answer 6

matter is that, that has mass and takes up space. By its very definition if a space is occupied by some type of matter, then where the hell will the other would the other matter go?????
Come on now.

Answer 7

Can you conclusively prove the can not?

Theories on additional and parallel dimensions state it is a possibility.

Answer 8

they can if both of the two objects are the same

Answer 9

this is a very silly ? but since matter takes up space there is no place for more matter

Answer 10

Because they each have their own mass and density.