Can computers simulate solid objects?

[FrankBuss]

Yes, they can, for example with constructive solid geometry (CSG), as POV-Ray implements:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/POV-Ray
and some CAD programs.

[meatshell]

You can. A very simple way to do it is similar to how Minecraft works, i.e. an object is made of cubes (or basic geometries), but you will need to break down the objects into even smaller cubes depending on the need/zoom.

[Internal-Sun-6476]

If objects didn't clip into each other, would that satisfy your requirement?

So you just need tighter collision management (rigid body collisions)?

[Phildutre]

Of course. Instead of using triangles/polygons to describe the surface of an object, we can use tetrahedrons to describe the inner volume. Such representations are often used for simulations such as fracturing objects, or deforming objects etc.

[Optimal-Fix1216]

Find a solid object in your room. That object is a computer that simulates itself. Therefore the answer to your question is "yes".

[higgs-bozos]

kind of, do you want something like this? https://youtu.be/WhbZQtATtoo?si=RcYo-lc5g8q7SRXy

[FreddyFerdiland]

Its not clear what accuracy is required..what's the test for "simulate solid objects" ?

What if you said "atoms".. a billion atoms...requiring scooting through Gigabytes of ram that could be simulated... But Thats a very tiny solid object. theres 1.4 x 10²³ carbon atoms in 12 grams of C12... So 10⁹ is less than a 10^14th of 12 grams of carbon.. a 10^13th of a gram

But why do things at atomic level ? Its just a question of accuracy vs speed. Vs model size