Is it possible that the Strong Force and gravity are the same thing?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the possibility that the Strong Force and gravity might be manifestations of the same fundamental force, albeit at different distances and strengths. Participants examine the characteristics of both forces, including their attractive nature, and consider whether they could be unified in some theoretical framework.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that both the Strong Force and gravity are attractive forces and question if they could be the same thing manifesting differently.
  • Others argue that the Strong Force operates over very short distances while gravity acts over astronomical distances, suggesting a fundamental difference.
  • It is noted that the Strong Force does not follow the inverse square law, unlike gravity, which raises questions about their similarities.
  • A participant mentions that while some theories suggest connections between the Strong Force and electrodynamics, there is little discussion regarding a connection to gravity.
  • Some participants emphasize that the theoretical frameworks for the two forces are fundamentally different, with gravity described by general relativity and the Strong Force by quantum chromodynamics (QCD).
  • One participant challenges the idea that having one property in common (attraction) implies they are the same, arguing that differing descriptions do not establish dissimilarity.
  • Another participant refers to the parable of the blind men and the elephant to illustrate that differing perspectives on the forces do not necessarily indicate they are fundamentally different.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus. There are multiple competing views regarding the nature of the Strong Force and gravity, with some arguing for a potential unification and others emphasizing their distinct characteristics.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of source material provided by some participants to support their claims, and unresolved questions about the fundamental nature of the forces being discussed.

  • #31
PeterLouis said:
Because the Strong Force and gravity are both forces that attract, could they actually be the same thing, manifesting in different ways at different distances?

No this is not at all correct. Strong forces are also known as nuclear forces as they have their origin from nucleus. Gravitational forces act universally and have nothing to do with nucleus or quantum. Moreover you're analyzing only one property of the two and then thinking them to be the same. This is the basic knowledge. In 15th century if you ask why world is round then its just justified as the knowledge at that time was meagre. Now our knowledge relating to these are quite rich and modern so in this century you can't just shoot in the dark.

Now I am listing out their properties. Compare them yourself and see how much difference they have :

1. Gravitational forces are weakest forces of nature while Strong (or nuclear) forces are strongest forces of nature.

2. Strong forces are limited to nucleus -> neutron-neutron attractive force , proton-neutron etc , but gravitational forces have nothing to do with nucleus and act universally.

3. Gravitational forces are always attractive. Not so with strong forces. Example : proton-proton repulsive forces.

4. Ratio of strength of strong forces to gravitational forces is 1:1039 .

5. Gravitational forces follow inverse distance square laws : inversely proportional to square of distance between centre of mass of two bodies. Not so with strong forces.

6. Gravitational forces are conservative while strong forces are non-conservative.

7. Gravitational forces can act through very long distances while strong forces can act only through distances in the order of magnitude of 10-15m .

I think , now you can see the differences between these two forces though.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
sankalpmittal said:
3. Gravitational forces are always attractive. Not so with strong forces. Example : proton-proton repulsive forces.

That was brilliant. One thing to point out here, though. Proton-proton repulsive forces arise from electromagnetism, not the Colour force.
 
  • #33
Thank you sankalpmittal for that very clear, detailed explanation. Question answered!
 
  • #34
Great answer
 
  • #35
Can gravity and strong nuclear force be a symetry breaking like the electroweak is?
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Mond - gravity as two separate forces?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
High School Strong nuclei force and extra dimensions
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
High School Why is gravity a weak force at the atomic scale?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
High School Why are we trying to unify all the physical forces?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
9K
Undergrad Fundamental Forces: Electromagnetic, Gravity, Strong & Weak Interactions
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Two recent tests of loop quantum gravity theory
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
6K
Graduate How does the strong force loses its strength with distance?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Graduate MOND from SU(2) gravitational dipoles
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Merging the strong force with the gravitational force
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Undergrad Is Gravity a Unified Force Like Electromagnetism and Atomic Forces?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K