Final answer:
Solids do not pass through each other despite being mostly empty space because of the electrical repulsion between the negatively charged electrons surrounding atoms. The electrons repel each other when atoms come close, thus keeping the solid objects intact and maintaining their shape.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is whether it is true that solids have more empty space and can pass through each other if it wasn't for electron forces. The simple answer is that although atoms are mostly empty space, solid objects do not pass through one another due to the electrical repulsion between negatively charged electrons.
In detail, an atom consists of a nucleus made of protons and neutrons, and is surrounded by electrons. These protons, neutrons, and electrons make up a very small part of the atom's volume; the rest, more than 99%, is empty space. However, this does not mean solids can pass through each other. When two atoms come close together, the electrons in their outer shells, which carry a negative charge, repel each other. This repulsion prevents the atoms from passing through each other, making solid objects appear solid and preventing them from collapsing into each other.
The atoms within a solid are held together by forces, and they are arranged in specific patterns, often forming a crystalline lattice. This arrangement and the forces involved give solids a fixed shape and volume. When external forces are applied to solids, only slight displacements occur in the atoms or molecules due to the rigidity of their connections, further exemplifying their solidity. Therefore, despite the empty space within atoms, the interactions between electrons of neighboring atoms keep solid objects from passing through one another.