Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => That CAN'T be true! => Topic started by: dentstudent on 01/08/2007 10:33:32

Title: We are but a grain of sand
Post by: dentstudent on 01/08/2007 10:33:32

I heard yesterday that if you removed all of the gaps between the atoms within our bodies, you could fit all the cellular matter into a space the size of a grain of sand.

Really?

Title: We are but a grain of sand
Post by: another_someone on 01/08/2007 13:49:14

I am not sure what you regard as the gaps between atoms?

If you mean that you simply get the atoms close enough together that their electron orbits will touch or overlap, then that is not far short of what you get if you freeze someone, and I don't think it gets that small.

If, by closing the gaps between atoms, you mean having the nuclei of the atoms touching each other, then you would be talking about the kind of thing that happens to a star when it becomes a neutron star, and I can imagine you could have that kind of compaction ratio.

Title: We are but a grain of sand
Post by: neilep on 01/08/2007 13:54:23

Gives a whole new perspective to laying on a sandy beach !

Title: We are but a grain of sand
Post by: Quantumorigin7 on 29/08/2007 18:12:25

We cannot even compare our bodies to the size of the universe. A 6' tall man would be like .(Septillion zeros)1 the size of the universe.

Title: We are but a grain of sand
Post by: neilep on 29/08/2007 23:19:41

If you seek out the Did You Know Thread I am sure I posted that there are something like 10⁷⁸ to just under 10⁸¹ atoms in the Universe..which is nice !

Title: We are but a grain of sand
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 30/08/2007 13:04:44

Quote from: neilep on 29/08/2007 23:19:41

If you seek out the Did You Know Thread I am sure I posted that there are something like 10⁷⁸ to just under 10⁸¹ atoms in the Universe..which is nice !

Wait while I get my abacus