Hailey P.
asked • 05/03/24If atoms and molecules that make up a solid vibrate, why does the solid not vibrate? What causes the solid object to not vibrate?
Atoms and molecules that make up a solid vibrate. However, do the vibrations cancel each other out and that is why the solid object doesn’t vibrate?
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1 Expert Answer
William W. answered • 05/05/24
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The molecules that make up solids vibrate on an atomic scale and consequently cannot be felt on a macro-scale. So, in a way, your premise that the solid does not vibrate is in error. Scientists have found ways to detect/measure atomic scale vibrations but such a detection cannot be felt by human touch (other than by the temperature the solid has).
Hailey P.
So solid objects like a table, do vibrate? Without any outside forces applied?
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05/05/24
William W.
I think to say that solids "vibrate" is a misnomer. The molecules that make up the table vibrate (or oscillate) because they have energy. Some of that energy comes from temperature and that temperature IS an outside force, Despite the fact that the molecules are "vibrating", their vibration is NOT something that can be felt at the macro level.
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05/05/24
Hailey P.
So the molecules vibrate., but the solid object itself doesn’t, right?
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05/06/24
William W.
The solid object is not vibrating in a way that can be discerned without the use of specialized equipment.
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05/06/24
Hailey P.
Why don’t they vibrate enough to see and feel it ?
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05/07/24
William W.
Atoms and molecules are very small and consequently their motions (vibrations) are very small. There are many types of motion/vibration happening at the atomic level and it happens in all 3 dimensions (jiggling, spinning, etc). In a solid, molecules are tightly packed and consequently, the distances between atoms is on the angstrom level and then, of course, the vibrational motion or jiggling is similarly small. An angstrom is extremely small. You are most likely familiar with a millimeter (which is itself very small), but there are 10 million angstroms in one millimeter. Additionally, the "jiggling" that you call vibration, is happening extremely fast such that one 'jiggle" would take place in less than a trillionth of a second. All this motion is happening and, although you don't feel or see the movement, you DO feel the result which is in the form of heat (or the temperature) of the solid.
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05/07/24
Hailey P.
So all solids do vibrate? Or do the vibrations of the molecules and atoms cancel each other out and that is why the solid is fixed and does not vibrate?
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05/08/24
William W.
It appears you want a short answer. So here goes: Solids are made of molecules. Molecules do not hold still. So if you would like to say that the solid is vibrating, that is your choice. I would rather say that the molecules within an object are vibrating and those vibrations are not felt or seen as the object in motion but rather sensed as the temperature of the object. I think you are getting confused because you are thinking of the "vibrating" object as vibrating macroscopically like a cellphone on vibrate. That is not the case. The vibrations are there, they occur at the sub-molecular level, they do not move the object but rather are sensed as temperature. If you want to learn more about this, I suggest you take the time to study this more in depth, perhaps by studying a textbook on molecular physics. But please know that many scientists have made this a life-long study. It is not likely you are going to get an answer that satisfies you on "Wyzant, Ask An Expert".
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05/08/24
Hailey P.
Thank you for the explanation!!! This was super helpful. I agree, I think that is what I was misunderstanding. I think you finally answered what I was asking! So, the molecules and atoms of a solid vibrate, but the solid object the molecules and atoms make up does NOT vibrate microscopically. Am I understanding that correctly? Thank you!!
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05/09/24
William W.
The solid does not vibrate macroscopically (observable with the eye).
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05/09/24
Hailey P.
or felt right?
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05/09/24
Hailey P.
So the particles that make up the solid vibrate, but the solid object itself does not?
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05/09/24
William W.
Correct, the particles that make up the solid vibrate, but the solid object itself does not move. When you say the vibrations are not felt, that's not quite accurate though. The vibrations are not felt as vibrations/motions but they are felt as temperature. The faster the molecules in the solid vibrate, the warmer the object becomes.
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05/09/24
Hailey P.
So the molecules in a sold vibrate, but the solid object as a whole does not? Correct?
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05/10/24
Hailey P.
Solid objects don’t vibrate or move at all, correct?
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05/11/24
William W.
Correct, the solid object does not move macroscopically due to molecular oscillations.
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05/14/24
Hailey P.
Thank you!
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05/16/24
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Pronoy S.
Read this : https://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/I_01.html It will answer a lot of questions you have05/05/24