1. Size relationships within the atom
Matter is not as solid as it appears
If you pick up a large stone, the weight gives you the feeling of holding a lot of matter in your hands.
But that is only an illusion.
In fact, this heavy stone is more like a balloon with a small grain of dust in the centre. The "sleeve" of this balloon consists of electrons, which continually orbit the nucleus of the atom in different paths and so quickly that it gives the impression of a firm surface.
Cologne Cathedral
The size relationships within the atom are such that if one could enlarge an atom to the size of Cologne Cathedral, the nucleus of the atom would only be as large as a cherry stone - with electrons on the outside which are only a fraction of the size.
The cherry stone and the electrons however would weigh the same as Cologne Cathedral filled to the ceiling with concrete.
If you pick up a large stone, the weight gives you the feeling of holding a lot of matter in your hands.
But that is only an illusion.
In fact, this heavy stone is more like a balloon with a small grain of dust in the centre. The "sleeve" of this balloon consists of electrons, which continually orbit the nucleus of the atom in different paths and so quickly that it gives the impression of a firm surface.
Cologne Cathedral
The size relationships within the atom are such that if one could enlarge an atom to the size of Cologne Cathedral, the nucleus of the atom would only be as large as a cherry stone - with electrons on the outside which are only a fraction of the size.
The cherry stone and the electrons however would weigh the same as Cologne Cathedral filled to the ceiling with concrete.
What this means for us
If matter only the size of a cherry stone remains of Cologne Cathedral, how much matter do you and I consist of?
Around twenty thousand people could be stacked inside Cologne Cathedral. Together they all share as much matter as a cherry stone, which weighs as much as all these people together.
People therefore do not consist of solid matter, but are rather like a projection, an illusion, which consists of only one twenty-thousandth the size of a cherry stone.
Quantum physicists have known this for a long time.
What you are reading on this page has been known to physicists for almost one hundred years.
If matter only the size of a cherry stone remains of Cologne Cathedral, how much matter do you and I consist of?
Around twenty thousand people could be stacked inside Cologne Cathedral. Together they all share as much matter as a cherry stone, which weighs as much as all these people together.
People therefore do not consist of solid matter, but are rather like a projection, an illusion, which consists of only one twenty-thousandth the size of a cherry stone.
Quantum physicists have known this for a long time.
What you are reading on this page has been known to physicists for almost one hundred years.