The space between an atom's nucleus and it's electrons

In summary, the space between an atom's nucleus and its electrons is known as the electron cloud or electron orbital. It is not empty, as it contains the electrons and their negative charge. This space is determined by the size of the nucleus and the energy levels of the electrons. It can also change as the electrons move between energy levels. The space between an atom's nucleus and its electrons is important because it affects the size and properties of the atom and plays a role in chemical bonding.
  • #1
zts1986
3
0
Earlier today I was thinking about what is in between the very few molecules of hydrogen floating around in interstellar space (dark matter?), and a question came to me.

What is in the space between the nucleus of an atom and the electrons that surround that nucleus? The space would be too small for air molecules, so what is there?
 
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  • #2
Nothing

Although in a QM sense, the electrons are in the gap just with a low probablility function
 

Related to The space between an atom's nucleus and it's electrons

1. What is the space between an atom's nucleus and its electrons?

The space between an atom's nucleus and its electrons is known as the electron cloud or electron orbital. It is the region where the electrons are most likely to be found in an atom.

2. Is the space between an atom's nucleus and its electrons empty?

No, the space between an atom's nucleus and its electrons is not empty. It is filled with the electron cloud, which contains the electrons and their negative charge.

3. How is the space between an atom's nucleus and its electrons determined?

The space between an atom's nucleus and its electrons is determined by the size of the atom's nucleus and the energy levels of the electrons. The size of the nucleus is related to the number of protons and neutrons it contains, while the energy levels of the electrons depend on their distance from the nucleus and their quantum numbers.

4. Does the space between an atom's nucleus and its electrons change?

Yes, the space between an atom's nucleus and its electrons can change. This is because the electrons in an atom can move between different energy levels, causing the electron cloud to expand or contract.

5. Why is the space between an atom's nucleus and its electrons important?

The space between an atom's nucleus and its electrons is important because it determines the size and properties of the atom. It also plays a crucial role in chemical bonding between atoms, as the electrons in the outermost energy level are involved in interactions with other atoms.

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