Difference between Gravitational and fundamental forces
Gravitational force
1) The force which attracts every object towards the centre of earth is known as gravitational force.
2) Gravitational force is the weakest force among all fundamental forces.
3) It is attractive in nature.
4) Since it acts between macroscopic objects, it is a long range force.
5) Gravitational force is studied by Sir Isaac Newton and proposed a law to explain the gravitational force states as follows,
“Every object in the universe attracts every other object with a definite force, which is directly proportional to product of masses of object and inversely proportional to square of distance between their centres”.
6) If m1, m2 are the masses of object separated by distance of r from their centres then by Newton’s law of gravitation we have,
Where G = universal gravitational cosntant.
7.) The magnitude of G in SI unit is given by, G= 6.67×10-11 N-m2/kg2
8.) If two objects of masses 100 kg and 90 kg are separated by distance of 1 m from their centres then the magnitude of gravitational force between them will be,
This indicates that the magnitude of gravitational force between these two objects is very weak.
9) The force between earth and moon due to which high tides and low tides are takes place is nothing but the gravitational force.
10) The orbit of planets is fixed due to the gravitational force exerted by sun on them.
Fundamental forces
1) The forces which provide the stability and hold the universe are fundamental forces, viz; electrostatic force, nuclear force etc.
2) Electrostatic force is stronger than gravitational force, whereas nuclear force is the strongest in the universe.
3) It can be attractive and repulsive as well.
4) Since they act between microscopic objects, they are short range force.
5) Electrostatic force is studied by Coulomb and proposed a law to explain the Electrostatic force of attraction or repulsion states as follows,
“There is force of attraction or repulsion between charges, which is directly proportional to product of magnitude of charges and inversely proportional to square of distance between their centres”. Here like charges repels and unlike charges attracts.
6) If q1, q2 are the two charge separated by distance of r from their centres then by Coulomb’s law we have,
F = 4.5 ×109 N.
This indicates that the magnitude of electrostatic force is very strong as compared to gravitational force.
9) The force which bound the negatively charged electron to the positively charged nucleus is nothing but electrostatic force.
10) The nucleus of an atom is highly dense due to nuclear force.