Questions tagged [vacuum]

A region of space devoid of any fluid molecules resulting in a zero pressure in ideal cases. In practice, even space has a small but finite number of molecules. In QFT, it signifies the ground state devoid of excitations/particles.

Strictly speaking, vacuum is a region of space without any particles. In this sense it is used in the Quantum Field Theory where it means the ground state of the quantum field.

This rather theoretical requirement is never achieved in practice, because even if space does not contain any atoms / electrons / nucleons, it does contain a lot of photons and neutrinos. But we still call it a vacuum, as an approximation of the theoretical vacuum. Interplanetary or interstellar space is a relatively good example of vacuum, even though there is still some small, but non-zero amount of hydrogen and other elements / particles.

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Vacuum collapse -- why do strong metals implode but glass doesn't?

This question has been puzzling me lately. I'm sure you've seen demonstrations of metal containers imploding when evacuated. Here, for example, are two videos of vacuum collapse: experiment 1, experiment 2. However, when the same experiment is…
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Why is space a vacuum?

Why is space a vacuum ? Why is space free from air molecules ? I heard that even space has a small but finite number of molecules. If so, won't there be a drag in space?
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Why does the QCD vacuum have zero momentum?

Today in the hadron physics tutorial we were talking about the Fabri-Picasso theorem where one step in the proof involves $\hat P |0\rangle$ which is the four-momentum operator on the vacuum. And from the notation I think that it is the…
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How long must two surfaces be in contact for vacuum weld/cementing to occur?

Vacuum cementing apparently is far more likely in space than on a planetary surface in atmosphere. How long must two surfaces be kept in contact with each other in a vacuum for vacuum weld/cementing to 'take'?
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What happens with liquids in vacuum?

I am wondering what would happen in a situation where there is some liquid in a closed container A is vacuum and B is the liquid. I am also interested if there are any differences in behaviour when the ratio A/B changes.
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Can Impossible Vacuum balloon be possible with this idea?

As it is well known, a vacuum balloon using the materials we have at our disposal is not possible, because of the sheer force they have to resist from the air outside. I have an idea and I want to know if there is anything that makes it…
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Can false vacuum decay (temporarily) to a new more stable false vacuum state rather than going straight to a true vacuum state?

I want to know if theoretically a false vacuum collapse/decay could lead to a new false vacuum state - a state that is (presumably more) metastable but not a true vacuum state. I assume that if this were possible then the new false state would…
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Effect of spacetime curvature on the sea of virtual particles

Does the nature of the assortment of virtual particles depend upon the warping of spacetime in a direct manner ?
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Vacuum is not really empty

Vacuum should contain something in it. Because nothing is perfectly empty that's what I feel, but what is there left in it? Is there any matter or its just enegry. Can energy be pulled out of some space?
user65035
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Prices of large vacuum chamber

This may seem like an odd question for Physics, but I'm pretty sure this exact answer was given in this forum about six months ago, but I can no longer find the thread. A rule of thumb was posted for pricing out large vacuum systems based on total…
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Is it possible to create a vacuum ballon using concentric partially pressured spheres?

The old saying goes, nature abhors a vacuum, but that isn't exactly true. The universe is full of vacuum; what nature abhors large energy differentials. So for example, a vacuum chamber has to be strong enough to withstand the ~101kPa of pressure on…
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Likelihood of vacuum decay event

My understanding of the matter is currently limited to the wikipedia article about false vacuum. One of my take aways of the article is, that we currently don‘t know if we live in an unstable, metastable or stable universe but that measuring the…
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Is it viable to extend hose of a vacuum cleaner?

It may be a dumb question. I have always been dreaming a stationary vacuum cleaner which is placed geometrically in the middle of a flat, has a very long hose (depends on the area of the flat, say 15 meters for 110 square-meters flat), reaches every…
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Is a "Perfect" Vacuum theoretically possible

I came across this answer to another stack exchange question and wondered about how true the claim was. https://physics.stackexchange.com/a/174683/42787 It starts with a disclaimer that claims that A perfect vacuum is impossible Now I know that…
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What exactly does vacuum contain?

Does vacuum or outer space contain any gases? Recently i watched a video on youtube,in which NASA installs a camera on a spacecraft.The footage shows some dust particles or some matter floating over the space craft's surface and as well from the…
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