Can atoms move from place to place without passing the space

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter soqrat
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Atoms Space
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Atoms can move from one location to another without traversing the space in between due to quantum tunneling, a phenomenon where particles transition through barriers they classically should not be able to cross. This movement is governed by the probability amplitude of a particle's wavefunction, which dictates its uncertain position between measurements. Fundamental particles are treated as point particles with zero volume, complicating the understanding of their spatial characteristics. The nature of particle movement and size remains an unresolved question in quantum mechanics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Quantum mechanics fundamentals
  • Understanding of wavefunctions and probability amplitudes
  • Knowledge of quantum tunneling
  • Concept of point particles in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of quantum tunneling in particle physics
  • Study the mathematical formulation of wavefunctions in quantum mechanics
  • Explore the concept of uncertainty principle in quantum theory
  • Investigate the philosophical implications of particle identity and measurement
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the fundamental nature of particles and their behavior in the quantum realm.

soqrat
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hi.
thanks for the pretty place.

i want to ask: can atoms move from place to place without passing the space between them?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
That's... complicated.

The position of a particle is uncertain in between measurements, with its position dictated by the probability amplitude of its wavefunction. Even a stationary particle can be in one place during one measurement, and then be in another place during the next measurement. This can lead to the particle actually "tunneling" through a barrier that it shouldn't be able to pass through, a process known as quantum tunneling.

Then there's also the fact that fundamental particles are considered to be point particles, meaning they take up zero volume. Even so, atoms and their component particles still take up space. The question of how big a particle "really" is has no easy answer. Is it a point particle? Is it the size its wavefunction dictates (which is infinite in extent)? Does the particle travel through space to get to different locations in between measurements?

As far as I know none of these can be answered at this time.
 

Similar threads

High School Does Time Pass at Different Rates on Other Planets?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
High School Dark Energy: Are We All Missing The Obvious?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
High School How Do Radars in Space Prevent Signal Dispersion and Maintain Target Accuracy?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Undergrad Space docking using the Meissner effect
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
12K
High School What are the atoms floating in space
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
High School The Space Between Atoms -- Teaching Middle School
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
7K
High School Why did Rutherford conclude the atom was mostly empty space?
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
High School Are some objects in the night sky just older images of other objects?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
High School Methods of accelerating in space?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Graduate Help with an Apollo space program flight simulation guide
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K