Chapter 4: Q18DQ (page 713)

What similarities do electric forces have with gravitational forces? What are the most significant differences?

Short Answer

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Answer

The similarities are both the forces take place between a set of bodies and obeys inverse square law.

The differences are all the bodies exert gravitational force while only the charged particles exert electric force and the gravitational force is attractive at all times while the electric force can be attractive or repulsive.

Step by step solution

Definition of the gravity and the electric force

Gravity is a primary interaction that attracts (or gravitates) all entities with mass or energy. For instance, the gases in the sun are held together by gravity.

An electric force is the attracting or repulsive interface between individuals' charged things.For instance, Rubbing the cloth with iron rod.

Describe the similarities between the gravitational force and the electric force

Both the forces take place between a set of bodies.
Both the forces are inversely related to the square of the interval of these bodies i.e., obey inverse square law.

Step 3: Describe the differences between the gravitational force and the electric force

All bodies have mass, so all the bodies exert a gravitational force on all other bodies, while only charged bodies exert electric forces.
The gravitational force is attractive at all times, while the electric force can be attractive or repulsive, according to the type of charge of the bodies.