How does something become tangible? How many atoms are needed to be

[harp AP 2010]

How does something become tangible? How many atoms are needed to be able to see/hold something?

 

[mathman]

For comparison you can use Avogadro's number (approx 6*10²³). For example this is number of molecules in 18 grams of water.

 

[Studiot]

Just one atom will do.

Here is an atomic typewriter by IBM

http://www.fourmilab.ch/autofile/www/section2_84_14.html

 

[Dr Lots-o'watts]

A hair is roughly half a million carbon atoms wide.

 

[pmacias]

Something becomes tangible when it can be perceived by our senses, particularly touch. This means that it has a physical form and can be felt or held. In the scientific sense, something becomes tangible when it has enough mass and density to interact with other matter.

The number of atoms needed for something to become tangible varies depending on the material and its properties. For example, a solid object like a pencil may contain trillions of atoms, while a gas like air may contain billions of atoms in a much larger volume. In general, the more atoms an object has, the more tangible it will be.

To see or hold something, a minimum number of atoms is not necessary. Our eyes are sensitive enough to detect even a single photon, and our hands can feel even the slightest pressure. However, for something to be visible or holdable to the human eye and hand, it typically needs to have a certain size and density, which requires a significant number of atoms.

In summary, something becomes tangible when it has enough mass and density to interact with other matter, and the number of atoms needed for this varies depending on the material and its properties.