Matter and Nothingness

Smack your hand against something hard. The thing you smacked probably feels quite real and solid. But is it? Well, let us take a visit to the atoms that make up this object.

Atoms; a collection of miniscule particles. Electrons orbit around a nucleus made of protons and neutrons. Between the electrons and the nucleus sits what? Yep, a whole lot of nothing. In fact, the actual matter in an atom is almost equal to zero. And, because you and I are made of atoms, the actual matter in us is almost equal to zero. Let us look at that again:

Humans are made of atoms
Atoms are made of virtually no matter
So, humans are made of virtually no matter.

So, why did that object feel so hard? Because it's atoms, and the atoms in your hand, possess very stronge forces. In the interaction the involved atoms never touched, but the negative charges of their electrons repelled each other. The very powerful electromagnetic force is what allows us to think that objects are solid, when they are actually not.

Well, I hope this little science lesson doesn't ruin your sleep, as it did to mine last night.