What is Touch?

In this quantum world, what does it mean to touch something?
Do we really hover above the chairs we're sitting in?

MinutePhysics is on Google+ - http://bit.ly/qzEwc6
And facebook - http://facebook.com/minutephysics
And twitter - @minutephysics

Minute Physics provides an energetic and entertaining view of old and new problems in physics -- all in a minute!

Music by Nathaniel Schroeder http://www.soundcloud.com/drschroeder

Thanks to Nima Doroud for contributions and to Perimeter Institute for support.
http://www.perimeterinstitute.ca

• Category

  Science & Technology

[theloopylegend]

So does that mean Nemo DIDN'T touch the butt?

[KahnJamie]

Michael from Vsauce looks so much... bigger than he does now

[xXsomthingXx]

Interaction at short distance. So when do we get interaction at long distance? Ie: telekinesis

[FalconFetus8]

The way I see it, it's simply impossible for two things to touch. Two objects can either be overlapping each other or outside of each other. In order for them to touch, there needs to be zero space between them, and they must not be overlapping each other. If there were zero space between them, then they must share the same space, i.e. overlapping. Therefore, it is impossible for two objects to touch because the term "touch" contradicts itself.

[GuysCallMeShawna]

I am convinced nature is magnetic/electric and gravity is a push not a pull.

[wooooooooooodsy]

So, technically, "touching" doesn't exist.

[scotty]

Soooooooo Vsauce was right in other words.

[Mckenzie Roch]

1:18 i have a feeling that this has something to do with why they named the TV show "Touch"

[gftop]

If we can't touch anything, why wouldn't we just redefine touch? Say, the feeling of repulsion on a subatomic level? That just kind of ran through my head with these videos; I may be wrong.