How do we hold objects (such as keys, books or anything else) if we have never touched anything?

Question

I have read that everything is made up of atoms with nucleus surrounded by electron shells.....repelling electrons of other atoms......it means we can never touch anything around us.....so how do we carry objects?

Matthew Arnold · Accepted Answer

Because of electromagnetic forces.

At tiny scales, there is just too much empty space, even though most of it appears to be occupied. It is true that we never touch anything. For example, even though I'm not actually touching the screen as I type this response, the distance is just too small. What would happen if you brought two atoms close enough? Well, there are a lot of possibilities. Those atoms could react with each other, attract each other to a certain distance to form lattices, sheets, or crystals, or push each other away. We know that like charges repel and that electrons in an atom revolve around nucleus in specific orbits. We are supported when we sit on a chair by electromagnetic forces between electrons that maintain a tiny distance between us and the chair's atoms rather than by direct atomic contact.

Audrey Arnold · Answer

undefined If a person has never touched anything before, they would not know how to hold objects. Holding objects requires coordination between the muscles, nerves, and brain, which develop through sensory experiences and practice. Without prior tactile experiences, the person would lack the sensory feedback necessary to grasp and hold objects effectively.