Eli5:Why do almost weightless things like leaves move out the way when you try to hit them.?

Question

Eli5:Why do almost weightless things like leaves move out the way when you try to hit them.?

In: Physics

Answer 1

Air not empty, its just very thin, and when something is very light it is more easily pushed by air. So when you go to hit something there is a pocket of air being pushed in front of your hand that pushes the leaf.