Gravity verses electromagnetic attraction

In summary: So mass is not some physical thing that "creates gravity", it is simply the cause of space-time to bend, thus creating the effect we observe as gravity.In summary, particles in zero gravity form clumps through electromagnetic attraction and develop gravitational forces. However, gravity and electromagnetism are very different forces, with electromagnetism not acting on neutral particles and gravity not affecting massless particles. Gravity is also much weaker than the electromagnetic force and cannot be shielded. Theories have been proposed to unify these forces, but the details are still not fully understood. Ultimately, mass is the cause of gravity, as it bends space-time, creating the effect we observe as gravity.
  • #1
pulsar28
7
0
We`ve seen how particles in zero gravity form clumps through electro magnetic attraction, and that these clumps will then develop gravitational forces. Isn`t then gravity merely the same as this electro magnetic attraction only on a larger scale?
 
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  • #2
Although many if not most hold onto the hope that some time (most likely long from now) all of the fundamental forces will somehow be unified... according to our understanding, gravity and E&M are very different.
For instance, E&M forces don't act on things without charge (i.e. neutral sums of charged particles or neutrinos(?) ).
Similarly, gravity doesn't effect massless particles (i.e. photons).
The details of the differences aren't too important, but another one of the main things, is that gravity is about a billion times weaker than the E&M forces.
 
  • #3
Gravity does indeed affect massless particles, see 'gravitational red shift' etc.
 
  • #4
Also, gravity is strictly an attractive force, whereas electromagnetism can work to attract or repel.
 
  • #5
electromagnetism can be "sheilded", gravity can not, since there is no such things as "negative" mass
 
  • #6
malawi_glenn said:
Gravity does indeed affect massless particles, see 'gravitational red shift' etc.

You are absolutely correct that the presence of gravity does change the observational nature of massless particles; but at the same time i think its worth noting that its not gravity that is causing such a change (for instance redshift) - but the bending of space due to gravitational fields (to my knowledge)... this is really semantics - but i think it does illustrate an important conceptual different.
 
  • #7
Nabeshin said:
Also, gravity is strictly an attractive force, whereas electromagnetism can work to attract or repel.

In some cases gravity can be repulsive instead of attractive. But in every day circumstances you're right.
 
  • #8
lzkelley said:
You are absolutely correct that the presence of gravity does change the observational nature of massless particles; but at the same time i think its worth noting that its not gravity that is causing such a change (for instance redshift) - but the bending of space due to gravitational fields (to my knowledge)... this is really semantics - but i think it does illustrate an important conceptual different.

The 'bending of space' is simply a qualitative description of how gravity effects the motion of particles. It is not something different from gravity, it is gravity, if it is anything.
 
  • #9
NerfMonkey said:
In some cases gravity can be repulsive instead of attractive. But in every day circumstances you're right.

Elaborate. I am mystified.
 
  • #10
lzkelley said:
You are absolutely correct that the presence of gravity does change the observational nature of massless particles; but at the same time i think its worth noting that its not gravity that is causing such a change (for instance redshift) - but the bending of space due to gravitational fields (to my knowledge)... this is really semantics - but i think it does illustrate an important conceptual different.


Gravity IS bending of space, according to the theories of Einstein
 
  • #11
Maybe it is like the difference between a wave and a current in water in a way?
 
  • #12
W3pcq said:
Maybe it is like the difference between a wave and a current in water in a way?

The theory of both EM and gravity is well known, and it is nothing like what you are trying to ascribe.
 
  • #13
What I was trying to say is that maybe they are both different types of the same thing. By the way, what is "the theory of both EM and Gravity"? It is my impression that science still does not know exactly what EM is, or what the cause of gravity is. We know how to measure it and make predictions, but linking them would require a better understanding of what they are.
 
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  • #14
Ooop I should have written the "theories" ;-)
Unification of EM and Gravity is not done yet.

And please, specify: What are you referring to in your posts?

"Maybe it is ... " (What is 'it' referring to?)
"... that maybe they are both ... (What is 'they' referring to?)
 
  • #15
Gravity, and EM is what I am referring to. If they can be unified, they must be linked somehow. The same way E=mc2, maybe gravity and em are phenomena of the same fundamentals. Comparing EM to a current, and G to a wave is to me an interesting way of looking at it because EM is a current of photons yet gravity is not a current of particles but instead it is a change in the structure of space just as a wave is not a current but instead it is a change in the structure, or a curvature of the ocean.
 
  • #16
Have you done "Classic Electrodynamics" in collage / university yet? I am referring to "because EM is a current of photons "

unifying all physical theories into one, has always been a goal. String Theories are the candidates for this task today, even though their reasoning are quite a bit more intricate than yours.
 
  • #17
Even if they come up with the right series of 1's or whatever they are trying to do, what will they understand after the math works?
 
  • #18
How to unify Gravity with Quantum field theories.
 
  • #19
Even if they do that, there will still be room for interpretation of what it all means. They will be able to do a whole new level of predictions which will allow huge advances in science which is totally awesome. That doesn't mean that no one can wonder what the findings mean philosophically.
 
  • #20
Has it been proven or shown how mass creates a gravitation field? Where does the "gravity" come from within an atom? Do neutrons have something to do with gravity?
 
  • #21
W3pcq: I concern physics. The OP asked a physics related question and he should get the answer from contemporary physics, not just speculations from laymen non-physicists (see the forum rules), they you may keep to yourself or post elsewhere.


nuby: All mass generates gravity, just not the neutron.
 
  • #22
Everyone knows mass generates gravity. But how can mass do it?
 
  • #23
I answered your question "has neutrons anything to do with mass".

Well a simple answer would be: Mass bends space-time, which is gravity (bending in space time).
 
  • #24
NerfMonkey said:
In some cases gravity can be repulsive instead of attractive. But in every day circumstances you're right.

I'll repeat Nabeshin's request for an explanation here.
 
  • #25
Lol thank you redbelly. That claim was thrown out there but nobody wants to take up the task of explaining it? :P
 
  • #26
malawi_glenn said:
W3pcq: I concern physics. The OP asked a physics related question and he should get the answer from contemporary physics, not just speculations from laymen non-physicists (see the forum rules), they you may keep to yourself or post elsewhere.


nuby: All mass generates gravity, just not the neutron.

I may be mistaken, but I have always thought that a neutron generates gravity.
 
  • #27
W3pcq said:
I may be mistaken, but I have always thought that a neutron generates gravity.

All mass generates gravuty, just not the neutron.
 
  • #28
So the neutron doesn't generate gravity?
 
  • #29
Nabeshin said:
Lol thank you redbelly. That claim was thrown out there but nobody wants to take up the task of explaining it? :P


One can just google "Gravity + repulsive" and see if one gets realible source which can explian it. I did not find much, nor in my cosmology books.
 
  • #30
W3pcq said:
So the neutron doesn't generate gravity?


Well what is the mass of the neutron?
 
  • #31
Isn't the mass of the neutron=to the mass of a proton?
 
  • #32
W3pcq said:
Isn't the mass of the neutron=to the mass of a proton?

Well roughly, it is a little little bit heavier. So does neutrons generate gravity?
 
  • #33
I guess the answer you are looking for is no because gravity is a result of a change of the structure of space time and not generated by mass.
 
  • #34
I tohugh you could use your logic, since I have two times stated that all mass generates gravity and since the neutrons have mass, they generate gravity. Many people thinks that the role of the neutron in atoms are to generate gravity, that is a very big missconception! (does not the hydrogen atom generate gravity??).

Another missconception is that people tends to separate gravity from space-time curvaturing. Gravity IS curvature in space, generated by mass.
 
  • #35
malawi_glenn said:
I tohugh you could use your logic, since I have two times stated that all mass generates gravity and since the neutrons have mass, they generate gravity. Many people thinks that the role of the neutron in atoms are to generate gravity, that is a very big missconception! (does not the hydrogen atom generate gravity??).

Another missconception is that people tends to separate gravity from space-time curvaturing. Gravity IS curvature in space, generated by mass.

According to general relativity it is. Of coarse that is a grossly over simplified way of putting it.
 
<h2>1. What is the difference between gravity and electromagnetic attraction?</h2><p>Gravity is a fundamental force of nature that causes all objects with mass to be attracted to each other. Electromagnetic attraction, on the other hand, is a force that arises from the interaction between electrically charged particles.</p><h2>2. Which force is stronger, gravity or electromagnetic attraction?</h2><p>Gravity is generally considered to be the stronger force, as it is responsible for the formation of large-scale structures in the universe, such as galaxies and clusters of galaxies. However, electromagnetic attraction can be much stronger at the atomic and molecular level.</p><h2>3. How do gravity and electromagnetic attraction interact with each other?</h2><p>Gravity and electromagnetic attraction are both fundamental forces that act independently of each other. However, they can both have an effect on the motion and behavior of objects. For example, the gravitational pull of a planet can cause an object to fall towards it, while the electromagnetic attraction between atoms can hold them together to form molecules.</p><h2>4. Can gravity and electromagnetic attraction cancel each other out?</h2><p>No, gravity and electromagnetic attraction cannot cancel each other out. They are both fundamental forces that exist independently and cannot be eliminated or neutralized by each other.</p><h2>5. How do scientists study and understand the effects of gravity and electromagnetic attraction?</h2><p>Scientists use a combination of theoretical models, experiments, and observations to study and understand the effects of gravity and electromagnetic attraction. This includes studying the behavior of objects in different gravitational and electromagnetic fields, as well as conducting experiments to test the predictions of theories and models.</p>

1. What is the difference between gravity and electromagnetic attraction?

Gravity is a fundamental force of nature that causes all objects with mass to be attracted to each other. Electromagnetic attraction, on the other hand, is a force that arises from the interaction between electrically charged particles.

2. Which force is stronger, gravity or electromagnetic attraction?

Gravity is generally considered to be the stronger force, as it is responsible for the formation of large-scale structures in the universe, such as galaxies and clusters of galaxies. However, electromagnetic attraction can be much stronger at the atomic and molecular level.

3. How do gravity and electromagnetic attraction interact with each other?

Gravity and electromagnetic attraction are both fundamental forces that act independently of each other. However, they can both have an effect on the motion and behavior of objects. For example, the gravitational pull of a planet can cause an object to fall towards it, while the electromagnetic attraction between atoms can hold them together to form molecules.

4. Can gravity and electromagnetic attraction cancel each other out?

No, gravity and electromagnetic attraction cannot cancel each other out. They are both fundamental forces that exist independently and cannot be eliminated or neutralized by each other.

5. How do scientists study and understand the effects of gravity and electromagnetic attraction?

Scientists use a combination of theoretical models, experiments, and observations to study and understand the effects of gravity and electromagnetic attraction. This includes studying the behavior of objects in different gravitational and electromagnetic fields, as well as conducting experiments to test the predictions of theories and models.

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