What is in the space between atoms?
I understand that molecules are constantly being formed from collisions and such, but what I do not understand, is, on a tiny level, within the level of the atom, what is in between? 'Air' is not the answer, what if we were talking about the molecules and therefore the atoms between air! What's there! Is it matter? Is it just 'nothingness?' Is it subatomic particles?
Similarly, what is space? For example, in outer space, there is ideally a vacuum. What is in a vacuum, if not atoms? What is in space, if not atoms?
I have had these questions for as long as I could comprehend 'open space.'
:)
Answer
From a chemists point of view, nothing. There are no particles or molecules, there are only (sometimes) photons carrying the electromagnetic signal between molecules. You could, even say that virtual particles constantly fill (and leave) this space, provided some shielding from the electromagnetic radiation (however I believe this usually happens inside atoms, between orbitals). You can also say there are gravitational fields between particles/inside the atom too, but they aren't actual particles (at least ones that we have not found).
From a physicists point of view, there's everything. What we perceive as "empty space" is just a blank piece of paper waiting to be written on. Over on the Physics SE a question similar to this has been answered. Essentially this "empty" space is full of potential energy, fields waiting to be simulated (typically by energy) to create particles.
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