Gravity: the force that keeps things together (including our feet on the ground!)
Strong nuclear force: the force that holds protons close in the nucleus of an atom
Weak nuclear force: the force that controls the radioactive decay rate
Electromagnetism: the force that causes electric and magnetic effects between bits of matter (that carry an electric charge)
These are the four forces of nature (as far as science knows).
Both the strong and weak are intense forces, but have fairly short ranges. Their domain is governing the organization and de-construction of atoms. These forces govern little bity bits of the Universe.
Both electromagnetism and gravity are considered to be weaker than the strong force and have very long ranges. Some even state the range of gravity is infinite. They differ in that while electromagnetism has both attractive and repelling qualities, gravity only attracts.
Rather than perceiving gravity as a 'weak' force, I am choosing to think of it as a subtle force. The long range and importance of its effects seem to qualify it for a better term!
Monday, September 29, 2008
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