Physical World and Measurement


   
 
The Basic Forces in Nature
Gravitational force
 
It is the force of attraction between any two bodies in the universe.
 
The gravitational force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the two bodies and directly proportional to the product of the masses of two bodies.
 
Gravitational force is small when light bodies are considered and is considerable when massive bodies are taken into account.
 
 
Electrostatic force
 
It's the force between two charges.
 
It's stronger than gravitational force.
 
It also follows inverse square law and is proportional to product of the point charges.
 
 
Magnetic force
 
It can be either attractive or repulsive.
 
It can be the force between two magnets or force on a magnet placed in a magnetic field.
 
Electromagnetic force
 
An electric charge moving in a magnetic field experiences a force.
 
This is called electromagnetic force. It is a combination of electricity and magnetism.
 
Nuclear force
 
This is a strong force with a short range.
 
It is non-central, i.e., it isn't directed along the line joining the centres of the interacting particles.
 
This force acts within the nucleus.
 
Weak force
 
This kind of interaction is not well understood as yet.
 
Its range is shorter than the nuclear force.
 
It is important only for certain nuclear processes like radioactive beta decay.
 
Strong : Electromagnetic : Weak : Gravitational
 
102 : 1 : 10-12 : 10-36
 
Comparison of electrostatic and gravitational forces
Points of similarity
 
They are central forces.
 
They obey inverse square law.
 
They are conservative forces.
 
They operate even in vacuum.
 
Points of dissimilarity
 
Gravitational forces are attractive while electrostatic forces may be attractive or repulsive.
 
Gravitational constant of proportionality doesn't depend on the medium while electrical constant depends on the medium.
 
Electrostatic forces are extremely large as compared to gravitational forces.
 
 
     
   
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