eli5: On an atomic level, how does an atom ‘know’ it belongs to (for example) a sheet of paper but not the sheet of paper below it. Also how do scissors interact with the paper on an atomic level to cut it into two pieces.
In: Physics
The interaction on an atomic level is minimal. The molecules that make up paper (mostly cellulose) are very stable, so the atoms are content where the are. Paper is more macroscopic. Think of it as a big knot pulled very tightly together. The knots are happy being their own separate knots, even when put close together.
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