Space with no air?? What's it made out of??

Question

Like, Earth has oxygen, gas, and.... air....
but if there is no air in space, then what IS there?

It makes no sence!! Ahhh!!

Rachel G: I don't know if you knew this, but I posted "It makes no sence" asfter the second answer.

Answer 1

Good question - it depends on which theory you want to use. Currently, it is estimated that there are 5 hydrogen atoms per cubic metre. But this does not necessarily mean that there is "nothing" between these atoms.

According to quantum physics, even the space that we most often referred to a a vacuum, may be composed of various exotic unobservable (for now) components.

In quantum physics a vacuum is not the same thing as "nothing." One theory supposes that all space is filled with the Higgs Ocean composed of an undetected Higgs field.

The current idea in quantum physics is that the only place where there is "nothing" is between the strings making up all matter and energy. The concept of "nothingness" is a complex and extensive subject and very difficult for us to visualize.

Of course there is much more to these concepts than a few words in a brief paragraph can relay.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Let's start with the Earth. On the ground, near the ocean, the pressure of the atmosphere is about 14 pounds on every inch of everything. That's because there is alot of air, and lots above it pressing down.

Now take a ride to the mountains, say Pikes Peak in Colorado. at over 14000 feet above sea level, there is less air and less oxygen, so the pressure is lower. It affects everything, including the boiling point of water, which boils at lower temperatures because there is less air.

Now, we'll go a bit higher, say 65000 feet. At that altitude, there isn't enough air to breathe. Some special airplaine engines can run, but you would find, if you left an airplane that high that you couldn't get air into your lungs.

Then, we go up to where the low earth satellites are. Some might say that there is no atmosphere there, but actually the atmosphere just keeps getting thinner and thinner.

Farther out in space, there are a few atoms and molecules about, but they are so far apart that even very loud sounds won't carry because the atoms don't strike each other so sound can't travel.

The poster who mentioned ether is actually wrong. That theory was disproved when the nature of electromagnetic waves was proved. There is no need for an ether as some sort of substrate on which to carry radio, or electromagnetic waves.

There are many particles in space, from photons, to gamma rays, to neutrons, etc. It has also been shown that in high vacuums, particles, along with their anti-particles may spontaneously appear.

Space is far from empty, but it doesn't contain air; that's something that needs an object with gravity to collect around.

Answer 3

I'll avoid repeating some great answers already posted. I'd like to point out our general definition of the word space is different from person to person. Space in it's best identity IS energy. It's a description of an area in the universe. The universe is made up of every form of energy and this energy takes position in the universe.

An area of the universe has differing volumes of energy. These volumes have characteristics. These characteristics are what we compare to other volumes and their characteristics. An area on the moon has a different volume of energy than the area inside Paris Hiltons head.. two different characteristics.

Because you cannot see light perpendicularly(right angles) coming off the Sun doesn't mean it's not occupying that area. The darkness you see between the stars is there because light or photons are there. They are bridges that never break.

Now the really hard idea to visualize is that there isn't and area of the universe that contains no energy. You would not be able to detect or see through it. If you were able to see through it it would contain photons or what ever. So just remember that the word SPACE is just another word for ENERGY.

Answer 4

Space, like air, is one of those things you can't see, but you can feel. Gravity is where space bends. So it has fabric and substance. But you're dealing with more than 3 dimensions here, so its a little hard to comprehend.

Imagine a bowling ball set ontop a matress. Pretend that's Earth. Take a golf ball and set it next to the bowling ball. Pretend that's an asteroid. Watch it roll down the slope and collide. This kind of gives you a 3d projection of how space works.

This is one of those meaning of life questions that no one knows the answer for sure. Rachel, if he's still confused, that means he's intelligent actually. I think its a quick answer to say that space is made out of rays and particles. Well what lies between these rays and particles? To surely answer with "nothing" means you rely on your senses too much.

The fabric itself (that which space is made out of) doesn't really have a name yet, so I suppose you can call it whatever you want. I can tell ya the fabric isn't just out in space though; its everywhere, even in you. I'm inclined to call it god, myself.

Keep in mind there was a time when humans believed the world was flat. Humans at that time laughed at Columbus because they just could compute in their minds a round world. They were still stuck in 2d.

The next hurdle is going to be many times more difficult, but our minds will some day be able to see. We're just going to have to close our eyes like our ancestors did, and start by imagining it.

Answer 5

How detailed do you want to get here? Space has a very low concentration of matter in it (such as the gas, dust and so forth), but it is by no means empty... there is just a lot of room between each of the molecules of gas, and the particles of dust.

If you want to get more detailed, then science is having some fun trying to explain what space is made of through String Theory. PBS did a great series on it recently, which probably is available on Google Video, or for purchase on DVD. String Theory states that space is made up of tiny vibrating strings of energy. The catch is that the strings are so small that we could never detect them and it calls for LOTS of dimensions.

Answer 6

There is absolutely NO concentration of any gas whatsoever in Outer Space. The universe is an immense place and due to the laws of physics there needs to be an immense amount of gas in order to spread out. If you open a jar in space filled with air it would shatter due to the vacuum in space. So no matter how much air you have, it will always be spread out too thinly.

Answer 7

So called vacuum in outer space is actually full of virtual particles popping into and out of existence. Where they come from and where they go is unknown but probably means our universe is far stranger than anyone could have guessed. They may be moving between universes or into and out of unknown dimensions in our own universe. It may even mean that the fabric of the universe is part of some living entity vast beyond our comprehension. We will probably have it figured out in our lifetimes so be patient.

Answer 8

It's a vacuum...there's nothing...just stuff floating around(planets, comets, asteroids, stars, etc.). It's not that hard to understand. It's space...there's just no gases spread throughout it. Much like if you suck all of the air out of a bottle or something and it creates a vacuum....there's nothing there but space.

Answer 9

Actually, scientists are currently proving that space is not empty and does contain molecules, but the molecules are very far apart. It's not as compacted as our atmosphere is.

It's fascinating.

Answer 10

If those answers make no "sence" to you, then you don't have enough intelligence to understand the answers. Sorry...you'll need to read some astronomy textbooks and even then...who knows?