Let’s break it down from a quantum science perspective and explore why you're stuck knocking instead of walking through.
The Illusion of Solidity
At the atomic level, walls—and your body—aren’t solid the way you think. Atoms are 99.9999999% empty space. The particles inside, like electrons and protons, are tiny, constantly moving, and held together by fundamental forces. So if both you and the wall are mostly space, why can’t you slip right through?
Because, science tells us, it’s all about quantum probabilities and forces at play.
Enter Quantum Tunneling
In quantum Science, particles like electrons don’t behave like solid balls. They act more like waves, spreading out over space. Sometimes, these waves can extend past a barrier—like a wall—and appear on the other side. This is called quantum tunneling, and it’s very real.
In fact, quantum tunneling is how the sun burns. It’s how transistors work. Without it, modern technology wouldn’t exist.
So… can humans tunnel through walls?
The Impossibly Low Odds
Theoretically, every particle in your body could quantum tunnel through a wall. But for science, it’s all about probability. The chance of a single atom in your finger tunneling through a barrier is astronomically low. Now multiply that by the number of atoms in your body—about 10²⁷—and the probability becomes almost zero.
To quote physicist Brian Cox, “You’d need to wait longer than the lifetime of the universe” for this to happen by chance. Not ideal if you’re late for a meeting.
Electromagnetic Repulsion
Beyond probability, science gives us another reason you’re stopped at the surface: electrons. The outer layer of every atom is made of negatively charged electrons, and these repel each other. When your hand touches a wall, the electrons in your skin push against the electrons in the wall. That repulsion is what gives you the sensation of touch—and what stops you from phasing through.
Science Fiction vs. Science Fact
Movies often bend the rules of science for dramatic effect, but they do draw inspiration from quantum concepts. In the Marvel universe, characters like Vision and Kitty Pryde walk through matter using fictionalized versions of quantum tunneling.
While these powers are cool on screen, in real life, the science says you’re better off using a door.
Final Thought
Though walking through walls isn’t part of our everyday physics, the quantum world is stranger—and more fascinating—than fiction. Thanks to science, we’ve uncovered a universe where particles defy logic, time behaves strangely, and even the impossible becomes theoretically… possible.
So next time you touch a wall, remember: you're up against not just bricks, but the beautiful, baffling laws of quantum science.