Why is it that it's the gravitational force that keeps me on the ground?

AI Thread Summary
Gravitational force is the primary reason objects remain grounded, despite the electrical force being significantly stronger at the atomic level. While electrical forces are balanced on Earth, resulting in no net force due to the neutral charge of atoms, gravity acts on mass. Humans, having substantial mass but negligible charge, experience gravitational attraction towards the Earth. The electromagnetic force prevents objects from passing through each other, but gravity is the dominant force keeping them anchored. Understanding these forces clarifies why gravity, rather than electrical force, is responsible for keeping us on the ground.
shseo0315
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Why is it that it's the gravitational force that keeps me on the ground?

Rather than the electrical force?

In general, and by the equation, electrical force is much stronger than the gravitational force!
 
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Electrical force are balanced. In other words, the summation of electrical charges on Earth should be zero, so there is no forces. You are made of atoms, which are have 0 electrical charge, and the Earth is made of atoms too, so no force in between.
 
shseo0315 said:
In general, and by the equation, electrical force is much stronger than the gravitational force!
Between a pair of charged elementary particles--like an electron or proton--the electrical force is much stronger than the gravitational force. But you are not a charged particle--you have a huge mass (compared to either of those) and essentially zero charge.
 
Well, electromagnetic force keeps you from falling THROUGH the ground but since you have no net charge, there is no basis for a long distance force.

[edit] ...quick draw fail!
 
Last edited:
russ_watters said:
...quick draw fail!
:smile:
 
Thank you folks!
 
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