- #1
i know it all
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im doing a project on this topic and its really weird and is it actually ture? can you actually touch anything?
What Does It Really Mean to Touch Something at Macro and Nano Scales?
- Context: High School
- Thread starter i know it all
- Start date
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the concept of "touch" at both macro and nano scales, exploring the nature of physical interaction and the underlying forces involved. Participants express curiosity and confusion about the implications of touching objects, particularly in relation to atomic and subatomic interactions.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants question the validity of the common explanation that "the electrons on my behind repel the electrons on the chair," expressing discomfort with this characterization.
- Others suggest that the concept of touch may be more complex than it appears, raising questions about what it means for particles, such as electrons, to "touch" each other.
- A participant proposes that touch, at both scales, could be understood as an interaction of forces rather than a straightforward contact.
- There is mention of the idea that electrons might be point particles or vibrating strings, leading to further questions about the nature of their interactions.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the explanation of touch, with some finding it unsatisfactory while others engage with the concept more playfully. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing interpretations of what it means to touch something at different scales.
Contextual Notes
Participants have not reached consensus on the definitions and implications of touch, and there are unresolved questions regarding the nature of particles and their interactions.
- #2
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i know it all said:
We have had this question popping up over and over again. We may need to add this to our FAQ.
Zz.
Last edited by a moderator:
- #3
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ZapperZ said:
Yes, please do.
- #4
HomogenousCow
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I always find that explanation wonky, just don't feel comfortable with statements like "The electrons on my behind repel the electrons on the chair". Anyone else feel the same.
- #5
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HomogenousCow said:
No, I'm not concerned about the electrons in your behind
- #6
HomogenousCow
- 736
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Pretty sure you know what I mean. Oh okay, watched the rest of the video, the irksome feeling went away.
- #7
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HomogenousCow said:
Yes, but I couldn't resist.
- #8
Crazymechanic
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I heard there are a lot of vacancies for electrons, well the ones that work in the "behind" against chair region...
"""I always find that explanation wonky, just don't feel comfortable with statements like "The electrons on my behind repel the electrons on the chair".""""
i might bet that the electrons feel similarly.. :D
"""I always find that explanation wonky, just don't feel comfortable with statements like "The electrons on my behind repel the electrons on the chair".""""
i might bet that the electrons feel similarly.. :D
- #9
Lsos
- 803
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Sure, in an everyday macro setting you can say we "touch" things. But if you really want to get deep into it, what exactly is touch? Even if you could get electrons to "touch" each other, what exactly does that mean? For all we know an electron is a point particle...and what happens when you touch two point particles? Well, they'd be on top of each other. Or maybe it's a vibrating string...so then what, the strings touch?
Either way, we have to be satisfied with the idea that touch, whether on a macro or nano scale, is just interaction of forces.
This is just my layman's interpretation of it, please someone straighten me out if it's way off.
Either way, we have to be satisfied with the idea that touch, whether on a macro or nano scale, is just interaction of forces.
This is just my layman's interpretation of it, please someone straighten me out if it's way off.
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