Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Beanyboy on April 13, 2018, 07:35:08 AM

Title: Intermolecular space
Post by: Beanyboy on April 13, 2018, 07:35:08 AM

In matter, what occupies the intermolecular space?

Title: Re: Intermolecular space
Post by: Corribus on April 13, 2018, 09:00:48 AM

Bearing in mind the fact that molecules/atoms have no discrete boundaries, and, strictly speaking, electronic wavefunctions extend to infinity: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_state

Title: Re: Intermolecular space
Post by: Beanyboy on April 14, 2018, 12:42:12 PM

I had a feeling that it was probably "quantum fields", or at least something of that nature. Thanks so much for taking time out to reply!

Title: Re: Intermolecular space
Post by: Enthalpy on April 18, 2018, 05:27:39 AM

In solids and liquids, the distances are short, so "electrons" are the most striking observable thing there, as Corribus put.

Farther from the molecules, for instance in a gas, you may observe electric and magnetic fields, dropping quickly with the distance.

"Quantum fields" if you wish... But what are the concrete consequences? As far as I know, observation was made within atoms, where the electric field is big. For usual life, "vacuum is empty" is quite accurate.