Why Can’t We Walk Through Walls? The Surprising Science Behind Atoms and Empty Space

In movies, characters glide through walls with ease—think Vision from “Avengers” or Harry Potter at Platform 9¾. But in real life? You’d just end up with a sore nose.

So, why can’t we walk through walls? The answer lies in atoms. Although they’re mostly empty space, the way they’re structured keeps solid objects solid.

Atoms consist of a tiny nucleus at their center, surrounded by electrons. The positive charge of protons pulls in the negatively charged electrons. This pull holds the atom together.

However, in the world of quantum mechanics, electrons don’t exactly orbit like planets. They exist in what’s called a “probability cloud,” an area where you might find them, but not a specific spot. Raheem Hashmani, a physics student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, explains that this cloud creates a negative charge around the atom.

Here’s where it gets interesting: when you try to walk through a wall, the atoms in your body bump into the ones in the wall. Physicist Steven Rolston from the University of Maryland points out that this is like pushing two magnets with the same pole together; they repel each other.

Then there’s the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that certain particles (like electrons) cannot exist in the same place at the same time. If two electrons were to overlap, they’d violate this rule, making it impossible to pass through anything solid.

Think about liquids or gases. Their atoms move more freely, but the same rules apply. Atoms might flow around each other, but they still can’t occupy the same space.

However, quantum mechanics brings a twist. While it’s almost impossible for something, or someone, to pass through a wall, there’s a tiny chance it could happen. In quantum mechanics, particles can behave like waves. So, when a wave reaches a barrier it can’t cross, instead of stopping, it begins to fade as it enters the wall. If the wall is thin enough, there’s a minuscule possibility that the particle could appear on the other side—this is known as quantum tunneling.

Hashmani estimates that the chance of a person passing through a wall is about 1 in 10^30, which is so small it’s practically zero. Rolston agrees, calling this probability infinitesimally tiny. In practical terms, it’s a no-go.

In 2020, a study discussed quantum tunneling and its implications for future technologies, like quantum computers, highlighting the fascinating connection between quantum mechanics and modern innovations. This deep dive into the atomic world not only reveals why we can’t walk through walls but also shows how complex and intriguing our universe truly is.

So next time you watch a movie where characters phase through walls, remember the science that keeps us grounded. Walking through walls may be a cinematic fantasy, but understanding why it’s impossible is a journey worth taking.



Source link