Massive objects and electric forces

In summary, the relationship between mass and electric force is described by Newton's second law of motion, where force equals mass times acceleration. Massive objects interact with electric fields through the presence of charged particles, which create an electric field that exerts a force on the object. Gravitational forces are caused by mass, while electric forces are caused by charge and can be attractive or repulsive. The distance between two objects affects their electric force, with a closer distance resulting in a stronger force. Electric forces can act on objects with no charge, as all objects are made up of charged particles.
  • #1
pentazoid
146
0
I can understand why the gravitational force is weak for subatomic particles like the electron and the proton , since they have extremely minuscule masses. I don't understand why the electric force is soo weak for massive bodies, like humans and planets. Why isn't the Earth able to levitate humans beings like an iron magnet is able to lift up small objects?
 
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  • #2
What is the net charge of the earth? Or a human?
 
  • #3


The reason for this is because the strength of the electric force is determined by the charges of the objects involved, not just their masses. While massive objects like humans and planets do have a significant amount of charge due to the atoms and molecules that make them up, the overall charge is still relatively small compared to the charge of an iron magnet. Additionally, the distance between the Earth and a human is much greater than the distance between an iron magnet and a small object, which further decreases the strength of the electric force between them. Therefore, the gravitational force, which is solely determined by the masses of the objects, is much stronger in this scenario. It is important to note that both the electric and gravitational forces are essential for the functioning of our universe and play different roles in different situations.
 

What is the relationship between mass and electric force?

The relationship between mass and electric force is described by Newton's second law of motion, which states that the force acting on an object is equal to its mass multiplied by its acceleration. In the case of electric forces, the acceleration is caused by the interaction between two charged objects.

How do massive objects interact with electric fields?

Massive objects, such as planets and stars, interact with electric fields through the presence of charged particles. These particles create an electric field that exerts a force on the massive object. This is the basis for the behavior of charged particles in space, such as the interaction between the solar wind and Earth's magnetic field.

What is the difference between gravitational and electric forces?

The main difference between gravitational and electric forces is the type of particles that are involved. Gravitational forces are caused by the presence of mass, while electric forces are caused by the presence of charge. Additionally, gravitational forces are always attractive, while electric forces can be either attractive or repulsive.

How does the distance between two objects affect their electric force?

The electric force between two objects is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This means that as the distance between two objects decreases, the electric force between them increases, and vice versa.

Can electric forces act on objects with no charge?

Yes, electric forces can act on objects with no charge. This is because all objects are made up of charged particles, even if they have a net neutral charge. The electric force on a neutral object is due to the attraction or repulsion between its charged particles and the charged particles of other objects.

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