Why are we able to put our hands through liquids but not solids?
Liquids can be very complicated but are still liquids. The molecules in liquids are fairly short and do not bond much with each other. I am putting in these qualifiers.
The Short Answer
Liquids can be very complicated but are still liquids. The molecules in liquids are fairly short and do not bond much with each other. I am putting in these qualifiers. That is because water is special and has polar properties. Colloids can be very complicated. In solids there is much more bonding going on. Molecules can be very long chain. They physically confine each other from movement because they are so large. Solids include a huge number of molecules and types of bonds. There are ionic bonds and covalent bonds. Salts are solid but their structure is vastly different from covalently bonded molecules. The simple answer is that liquids are composed of molecules which are small and do not bond with each other much. Solids are made of molecules which can be very large and interact with each other to form solids.
Analysis
Key Concepts: Molecules, liquids, solids
This explanation focuses on molecules, liquids, solids and spans 142 words across 13 sentences. At 97% above the average Science explanation (72 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “Liquids can be very complicated but are still liquids.” It then elaborates by presenting a contrasting perspective, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 13 connected points.
How This Compares in Science
Ranked #41 of 500 Science questions by answer depth (top 9%). This places it in the comprehensive tier — the top quarter of most thoroughly answered questions. Questions at this depth typically involve multi-faceted topics requiring nuanced explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why we able to put our hands through liquids but not solids?
Liquids can be very complicated but are still liquids. The molecules in liquids are fairly short and do not bond much with each other. I am putting in these qualifiers. That is because water is special and has polar properties. Colloids can be very…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Science questions?
This is one of the most thorough answer at 142 words, ranked #41 of 500 Science questions by depth. The key concepts covered are molecules, liquids, solids.
What approach does this answer take to explain we able to put our hands through liquids but not solids?
The explanation uses root cause analysis and contrasting perspectives across 142 words. It is categorized under Science and addresses the question through 2 analytical lenses.