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TL;DR

Can there ever be nothing? No, according to quantum mechanics, there are always gravitational and electromagnetic fields, virtual particles, and matter in some form.

Transcript

Hey, Vsauce Michael here coming to you from my hotel room in London with a little camera that I taped to a bunch of furniture I stacked up. Which is better than nothing, and as you can tell from the title of this video, it's also what we're going to discuss. Nothing. Can there ever be nothing? I mean, we're surrounded by matter all the time. Even t... Read More

Key Insights

• 👋 Vacuums are difficult to create and maintain, with the best scientists achieving an ultra-high vacuum of only 100 particles per cubic centimeter.
• ✋ High-altitude flying poses risks due to thinning air and oxygen deprivation.
• 😨 The outgassing of materials, like in a new car, results in the distinct smell.
• 👾 The density of particles decreases as one moves from the solar system to interstellar space.
• 🦾 Quantum mechanics suggests that nothingness is not possible, as there are always gravitational and electromagnetic fields and virtual particles.
• ❓ Virtual particles may contribute to the expansion of the universe.
• 😚 The Casimir Force demonstrates the effect of virtual particles on objects in close proximity.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the minimum number of particles per cubic centimeter in an ultra-high vacuum?

The best scientists have achieved an ultra-high vacuum with only 100 particles per cubic centimeter.

Q: Why is flying at high altitudes dangerous?

At high altitudes, the air becomes thin, leading to oxygen deprivation. This can cause hypoxia, a lack of oxygen, resulting in impaired cognitive ability and potentially death.

Q: What is Armstrong's Limit?

Armstrong's Limit is the altitude at which the boiling point of a person's blood drops to their body temperature. Without a special suit, bubbles can form in the blood, causing the body to inflate.

Q: What causes the new car smell?

The new car smell is caused by the outgassing of adhesives and chemicals used in the car's manufacturing process.

Q: What is the density of particles per cubic centimeter in interstellar space?

In interstellar space, there are approximately one particle per cubic centimeter.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Even when we think something is empty, like a glass, it is still full of air packed with countless molecules.

• Creating a true vacuum is a challenge, with scientists only being able to achieve an ultra-high vacuum with minimal particles per cubic centimeter.

• As altitude increases, the air gets thinner, leading to dangerous levels of oxygen deprivation and even bodily harm.