Interaction between solid objects

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the interaction between solid objects, specifically addressing the concept that no two solid objects truly touch each other due to the presence of electron fields. It is established that during a collision, the electron fields interact rather than the electrons themselves making contact. Friction is described as a non-contact property arising from electrostatic interactions at the atomic level, with effects detectable up to 10 nanometers from a surface. Techniques such as Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Near-field Scanning Optical Microscopy (NSOM) utilize shear-force to manage distances between probes and samples.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of atomic structure and electron behavior
  • Familiarity with concepts of friction and electrostatic interactions
  • Knowledge of surface topology and its impact on material interactions
  • Basic principles of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Near-field Scanning Optical Microscopy (NSOM)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and its applications in material science
  • Explore the concept of electron fields and their role in atomic interactions
  • Study the mechanisms of friction at the nanoscale and its implications in engineering
  • Investigate the effects of surface roughness on friction and material performance
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Physicists, material scientists, engineers, and anyone interested in the fundamental interactions between solid objects at the atomic level.

Allanon
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Greetings!

I've looked around in the FAQ and around the forums and couldn't find the answer to my question, so I've decided to ask. If however I did miss the answer, I apologize.

Well, it's quite elementary actually. I am wondering if it is correct to assume that no two solid objects actually touch each other, i.e. there is always a layer of space between two adjacent atoms of different objects. And if my assumption is correct, what is friction then? And what about non solid objects?

Thanks a lot.
 
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If your question involves whether or not the electrons surrounding surface atoms from two nominally colliding objects actually "touch" each other upon the event of "collision", the answer is no.
The electron fields interact and "collide", but not the actual electrons themselves. They do not collide with each other.
 
As far as I know friction is still not fully understood. However, at the macroscoping level, friction arises from the electrostatic interactions of the nuclei at the surface.

~H
 
Ah, friction! It can seem counter-intuitive that friction is a "non-contact" property. But, this would depend upon your definition of "contact"
Remember, electrons have fields, and fields interact, and this interaction can be severe enough to displace the electrons(and even their associated atoms) producing the field!
So, although the electrons may not physically "contact" each other, their fields do.

Also, consider a "flat" surface. There are electrons whirling about each surface atom(which themselves are at some distance from each other), and so one might roughly and visually characterize a "flat" surface as a string of very tiny beads. Think of the outer part of the beads being the electron "cloud" surrounding each atom.
So, there are natural valleys and troughs no matter how "smooth" one makes the surface, just much less in distance from each other.
 
Friction does indeed occur at a distance, it is detectable up to about 10 nm from a surface. AFM and NSOM systems use this 'Shear-force' to regulate distance between their probes and a sample.

Claude.
 
Understood! Thanks.
 

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