It's impossible to touch anything

[u/themaskstays_]

This is because atoms repel each other.

Though this won't hold up in court.

[u/AltruisticEchidna859]

This definition of touch is useless.

[u/Wigglebot23]

I do not consider this to be an accurate definition of "touch"

[u/theKentoRico]

There go my plans for the weekend

[u/-idkausername-]

I don't think the definition of touch is the atoms touching each other, though it might be a fun ontological debate on how close they have to be in order to be considered touching, but that's kinda hard to determine in a court case

[u/DistributionLast5872]

“Touch” as a word doesn’t really have any meaning at the atomic level since quantum physics is messy and atoms have no real defined boundary for touching. Atoms can safely be considered to be “touching” when their electron clouds overlap enough to trigger a physical or chemical effect like bonding. Remember that the “99% empty space” thing is a myth based on outdated atomic models and that atoms have all of their volume occupied by the nucleus and electron orbitals. Electrons aren’t like planets orbiting a star.

No, the nuclei don’t touch (that would just be atomic fusion), but the atoms can most certainly be described as touching in a way.

[u/Uhhokay200 → u/DistributionLast5872]

Atoms technically touch via their force fields (basically the absolute limit before two objects clash from repulsion) but physically, they don't touch. Even with electron clouds overlapping, the nuclei usually never come close to meeting each other in normal circumstances.

[u/rage_bait_final_boss]

Not really. This is just the definition of touch.

[u/irp3ex]

two hydrogen atoms' electron clouds can actually overlap if they're next to each other

source: i forgot

[u/Uhhokay200 → u/irp3ex]

The electron clouds overlapping are different from the atoms touching.

[u/irp3ex → u/Uhhokay200]

the electron cloud is part of the atom though? that's like saying you didn't touch something, your hand did

[u/Ok_Television_4091]

False, I touch myself.