The Four Fundamental Force Equations

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the equations representing the four fundamental forces in physics: gravitation, weak interaction, electromagnetism, and strong interaction. Participants express uncertainty regarding the equations for the weak and strong nuclear forces and explore the implications of the negative sign in the gravitational and electromagnetic force equations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the gravitational force equation and the electromagnetic force equation but notes the absence of equations for the weak and strong interactions.
  • Another participant questions the negative sign in the gravitational and electromagnetic equations, highlighting the difference in behavior between like-signed masses and charges.
  • A third participant introduces the magnetic force equation, indicating that it was omitted from the initial discussion.
  • A later reply discusses the negative sign's origin, referencing Wikipedia as a source, and raises questions about the failure of quantum mechanics to explain gravity, mentioning the theoretical graviton particle.
  • One participant expresses a desire to see work done on unifying the fundamental forces and seeks resources on quantum mechanics' attempts to explain gravity.
  • Another participant inquires about combining forces and asks if there is a simpler form of the equations for practical calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the equations for the weak and strong interactions, and there is ongoing debate regarding the implications of the negative sign in force equations. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the unification of forces and the limitations of quantum mechanics in explaining gravity.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various sources, including Wikipedia, but acknowledge limitations in their understanding of the weak interaction and the complexities of quantum mechanics related to gravity. There is also mention of the need for clearer equations for practical applications.

Rahmuss
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So, here is what I have:

Gravitation
[tex] F = -G\frac{m_{1}m_{2}}{r^{2}}[/tex]

Weak Interaction
[tex] ?[/tex]

Electromagnetism
[tex] F = -\frac{q_{1}q_{2}}{4\pi \epsilon_{o}r^{2}}[/tex]

Strong Interaction
[tex] ?[/tex]


I'm thinking of all of these things as actual calculable forces; but I cannot find the equation I would use to calculate the force for each of the nuclear forces. It seems like searching online I'm seeing a few different equations that people might be trying to use. What am I missing? I'm just looking for the four fundamental force equations.
 
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Rahmuss said:
So, here is what I have:

Gravitation
[tex] F = -G\frac{m_{1}m_{2}}{r^{2}}[/tex]

Weak Interaction
[tex] ?[/tex]

Electromagnetism
[tex] F = -\frac{q_{1}q_{2}}{4\pi \epsilon_{o}r^{2}}[/tex]

why is there a negative sign here? like-signed masses attact, but like-signed electric charges repel.

Strong Interaction
[tex] ?[/tex]


I'm thinking of all of these things as actual calculable forces; but I cannot find the equation I would use to calculate the force for each of the nuclear forces. It seems like searching online I'm seeing a few different equations that people might be trying to use. What am I missing? I'm just looking for the four fundamental force equations.

check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_interaction and you'll see something for Weak interaction (i confess i do not know the physics of it myself).
 
You have the static electrical force, but left out the magnetic force:

F=qv x B
 
rbj - I'm not sure why the negative sign is there. I got those equations from the wikipedia page for "Force", and they both have negative signs. I also already checked the "Weak Interaction" wikipedia page and it shows a "Long-Distance Behavior"; but it also shows simply [tex]\frac{1}{r^{2}}[/tex] as the equations for Electromagnetic and Gravitation. I also had a question on how they say that Quantum Mechanics can explain the three stongest forces; but not gravity, though it has made an attempt to, which fails. What exactly is the proof that it fails to explain gravity? Their theories and attempts are including the theoretical graviton particle I'm assuming; but I can't quite seem to catch why they can't prove it. I guess on that point I'm looking for a page which shows a kind of attempt at using Quantum Mechanics to explain gravity (but obviously fails). And maybe this is a topic for the Advanced Physics section. If anyone feels they should move it, that's ok.

This is a topic that fascinates me. I would like to see the work that has been done in attempting to unify these forces.
 
Loren Booda - Ok, thanks. I guess that makes sense. Would I combine that as a simple sum of forces? Also, is there a different form for that equation that is easier to plug and play various quantities?
 

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