if an atom is mostly space, how come things cab be solid?

Answer 1

I'm afraid I can't give a particularly detailed answer, but it is to do with the atomic structure's electric charges, and how electrons interact with each other.

The simplified atomic structure consists of a nucleus, with neutral neutrons and positively charged protons, and 'layers' of electron shells with negatively charged electrons. Things are solid because the negative charges of each atom's electron shell repel each other. Try as you may, you cannot 'push' an atom into another because of the repelling charges.

That only explains why a solid is solid, however. Why a solid is held together can be explained by how atoms are actually bound to each other. Given enough energy, two atoms are bonded when their electron shells overlap. This can either mean that two atoms share electrons (covalent bonding), or one atom's electrons are transferred to the other's (ionic bonding). When atoms or molecules are bound together in large structures, we call them solids, but in fact, this is how the majority of atoms are bound together, solids, liquids, and gases.

An actual explanation as to why covalent and ionic bonds causes atoms to be together involves quantum electrodynamics, which I'm afraid is a little beyond me, though perfectly relevant to your question.

I hope this helped. For more information, feel free to read my sources! ;-P

Answer 2

Solidity is an illusion. The levels at which things appear solid is much coarser compared to the sub-nanometric scales of atoms. Solidity is provided by the repulsion of surfaces and the resistance to deformation under pressure. There is no solid, no liquid and no gas. There are only atoms and atoms are mostly empty space with nucleus of protons and neutrons and electron clouds. The size of the atom is decided by its electronic configuration, the nucleus is much, much smaller.

Answer 3

You're right, an atom is mostly space but both gaps and particles are very tiny (although, yes the gaps are bigger).

As others have said the apparant continuousness of matter is illusory. Our eyes only detect light relected off the surface particles of non-transparent materials giving the appearance of continuous matter - light approaching us from the other side of the matter is generally absorbed by the many layers of particles. Equally, the gaps are too small to encounter as electromagnetic repulsion does not allow two atoms to penetrate each other (save in fusion reactions).

Answer 4

Well an atom is tiny so even the most powerful microscope the electron microscope cant get to see atoms
and so because there are milllions and millions of them tightly packed in together the mass of them is the bit that is regarded not the space at all
solids are dense as they have a large mass in a tiny volume

Answer 5

This is exactly wat happened in case of Rutherford's (I hope) gold foil experiment, the alpha rays just passed through the extremely thin gold foil. This was a major step in determining the structure of an atom.
Things are solid because the empty portion of an atom is covered up by the dense parts of the atoms surrounding it. It goes on covering up. The powerful bonding, the minutely minute inter-atomic space makes things solid.

Answer 6

A fishing net is mostly space but it still catches fish, seriously atoms are so small and that closely packed together they give the 'illusion' of solids, it's also relative to 'our' perspective.
ie. if you are 5' 2" then someone 5' 8" is tall, however to someone 6' 0" then 5' 8" isn't tall.

Answer 7

as i looks solid as there are a lot of very small spaces between the atoms. this makes it look solid

the atoms are all practically toching in a solid, this is how a solid is defined, so when ou toch it wou feel it solid as in a mm of solid there is millions of atoms but so small holes you dont feel them

Answer 8

the INSIDE of an atom is mostly space, but there is a sholl of electrons which is hard to get past, so its like a hollow ball you can still hold it

Answer 9

Nothing is solid only the density of the molecular structure makes it appear that way.

Answer 10

A solid is defined as matter with material strength; significant force must be applied to deform it. That just means that, despite their diminutive classical size, they interact strongly. Remember Mighty Mouse? Sometimes size doesn't matter.