spacetime foam

Spacetime foam is a concept suggesting that at extremely tiny scales—smaller than atoms—space and time are not smooth but constantly fluctuate due to quantum effects. Imagine the fabric of the universe bubbling and frothing with tiny, temporary distortions, like microscopic waves or bubbles. These fluctuations occur at the Planck scale, where the usual laws of physics blur, creating a "foamy" structure. While we can’t observe this directly, it helps scientists understand how gravity and quantum mechanics might unify, offering insights into the universe's fundamental nature at the tiniest levels.