What Does Empty Space Really Mean?

[curioussoul09]

What is "empty space"?

I always hear this term: "empty space." It is synonymous with "vacuum," but I am having trouble understanding either of these two ideas.

How can space be "empty?"

 

[tiny-tim]

I always hear this term: "empty space." It is synonymous with "vacuum," but I am having trouble understanding either of these two ideas.

How can space be "empty?"

that's the pessimist view …

I think that space is full, of …

well …

space! ​

 

[wolram]

I would think it is impossible to have a truly empty space.

Edit

How would one find it?

 

[Bob S]

The permeability of empty space is u₀ Henrys per meter, and the permittivity of empty space is e₀ Farads per meter, so the impedance of empty space is sqrt(u₀ / e₀)) = 377 ohms, and the velocity of light is sqrt(1 /(u₀ e₀)) = 2.9979 x 10⁸ meters per sec. Other than that its pretty much nothing at all (except dark matter, dark energy, neutrinos, cosmic rays, microwaves, gravity, photons, etc.)

 

[Danger]

Other than that its pretty much nothing at all (except dark matter, dark energy, neutrinos, cosmic rays, microwaves, gravity, photons, etc.)

You can add the collective intellect of my in-laws to that list...

 

[cragar]

higgs field