Is a vaccum comletely empty, without anything in it at all?

Answer 1

yes, that's the idea... although it's almost impossible to achieve a true vacuum, since there will likely be a few molecules left when you try to suck them all out. Deep space does have some molecules floating around in there... just very very few.

Answer 2

There are several different ways to answer this depending on exactly what you mean.

1. The vacuum of space always has some matter in it, although the density is very low.

2. Even if you could take out all the matter that is possible, there would still be radiation from the walls of the container: this is called black body radiation and cannot be eliminated. The black body radiation for space corresponds to a temperature of 2.73 degrees Kelvin.

3. In addition, there are always fluctuations at the quantum level where particle-antiparticle pairs are continually forming and disappearing. Again, this is unavoidable.

So the basic answer to your question is NO.

Answer 3

Yes - ON AVERAGE !

In an absolute vacuum, i.e. "empty space" - selected for it's lack of any stray atoms or cosmic particles that are mentioned above, there are still pairs of particle and anti-particle as mentioned by Mathematician.

The extremely interesting program "Atom" on BBC4 this p.m. explained the current theory very well...

From energy that is "borrowed" from the future, a pair of such particles are produced, then (very quickly) anihilated; paying back the energy overdraft just borrowed.

This is a continuous process and large numbers are involved, but as I said "on average" a (theoretical) absolute vacuum is empty.
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Answer 4

One needs to clarify your question first.

Outerspace is never completely devoid of matter. Space between stars is composed of sparse matter such as thinly spread gas, dust, hydrogen plasma, ionized atomic nuclei, subatomic particles, and dark matter. Even the emptiest parts of space contain at least a few hundred atoms or molecules per cubic meter.

If you are referring to pressure, then vacuum is defined as a space (not outerspace) in which pressure is significantly lower than atmospheric pressure. The answer would be no since, by definition, it would be allowed to have at least some pressure (indicating that it would contain gas molecules). An absolute vacuum (absolute emptiness) has never been produced or observed by man and remains only a philosophical concept. Even with our most technically refined evacuating devices there still remains a vast number of molecules in each cubic inch of air inside (lightbulbs, vacuum tubes, etc).

Answer 5

In terms of matter, yes a vaccum has no matter in it whatsoever. However, scientists are now working on a theroy to explain the expansion of the universe that says that all space is permeated by a thin, universally-spread energy feild that interacts with gravity contrary to matter, that is to say, it pushes rather than repels.

Answer 6

No perfect vacuum has ever been pulled, it's been pulled down to a 9 micron range. So there are still things inside the container in very minuet traces

Answer 7

A *perfect* vaccuum is completely empty.... but there really is no such thing. Even in deep space, there's a few atoms of gases wandering around, a few per cubic meter.

Answer 8

NO, even in deep interstellar space, there is often something along the order of ' six to eight particles per cubic yard,' of something like hydrogen or helium, assorted ' star dust,' and other products of fusion

Answer 9

Yes, a perfect or absolute vacuum would be some area of space totally without so much as a sub-atomic particle in it. As far as science knows, there is no such condition.

Answer 10

Phil2 is spot on - I watched the same programme. The answer to your question would seem to be no - the vacuum would still be filled with "stuff" even if all the atoms had been removed.