Elements are defined by the number of protons in each atom's nucleus, where an atom consists of electrons orbiting that nucleus. But despite the fact that atoms are mostly empty space inside, there's no way to remove that space. Magdalena Kowalska / CERN / ISOLDE teamAn atom, at the most basic level, consists of a positively charge atomic nucleus that's extremely tiny in volume. The fact that our atoms are mostly empty space permits the existence of molecules, chemistry, and life. Removing the empty space from atoms might be a fun thought experiment, but atoms are the size they are because of the rules of the Universe.

Source: Forbes December 17, 2019 06:56 UTC