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

[sankalpmittal]

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.

 

[Whovian]

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.

 

[PeterLouis]

Thank you sankalpmittal for that very clear, detailed explanation. Question answered!

 

[thunderhadron]

Great answer

 

[Shurita]

Can gravity and strong nuclear force be a symetry breaking like the electroweak is?