What is the origin of action at a distance forces?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of action-at-a-distance forces, specifically focusing on gravity and electromagnetic forces. Participants explore the origins of these forces and compare them to contact forces, discussing their characteristics and implications in different contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that action-at-a-distance forces, such as gravity and electromagnetic forces, diminish slowly with distance and remain significant even at large separations.
  • There is a suggestion that the origin of gravity is mass, while the origin of electromagnetic forces is charge.
  • Contact forces are described as diminishing quickly with distance and being relevant only at molecular scales, with origins linked to momentum transfer between molecules.
  • One participant questions whether there is a general way to define the origin of action-at-a-distance forces, expressing uncertainty about a universal explanation.
  • Another participant introduces the idea of field theory as a potential framework for understanding the origins of gravitational and electromagnetic forces.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether a general origin for action-at-a-distance forces can be established. While some agree on the origins of specific forces, the overall question remains unresolved with multiple perspectives presented.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about the nature of forces and the definitions used, particularly in relation to field theory and conservative forces.

mathmari
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Hey! :o

Action-at-a-distance forces are for example the gravity, the electromagnetic forces. They are reduced slowly in respect to the distance and are important even at distances comparable to the dimensions of the volume of the fluid.

Is this correct?? (Wondering)

Which is the natural origin of these forces?? (Wondering) Contact forces are for example the intermolecular forces, the frictional forces. They are reduces very quickly with the distances and are important only at distances comparable to the distances between the molecules of the fluid. The origin of these forces is the following:
  1. the gases at the exchange of the momentum between the molecules
  2. the liquids at the momentum transfer and the forces between the molecules of the liquid

Is this correct?? (Wondering)
 
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mathmari said:
Hey! :o

Action-at-a-distance forces are for example the gravity, the electromagnetic forces. They are reduced slowly in respect to the distance and are important even at distances comparable to the dimensions of the volume of the fluid.

Is this correct?? (Wondering)

Which is the natural origin of these forces?? (Wondering)

Hi! (Wave)

Seems correct to me.

The origin of gravity is mass, while the origin of the electromagnetic forces is charge. (Nerd)
Contact forces are for example the intermolecular forces, the frictional forces. They are reduces very quickly with the distances and are important only at distances comparable to the distances between the molecules of the fluid. The origin of these forces is the following:
  1. the gases at the exchange of the momentum between the molecules
  2. the liquids at the momentum transfer and the forces between the molecules of the liquid

Is this correct?? (Wondering)

Seems correct to me.

A lower level origin is the electromagnetic force, which mediates the transfer of momentum between molecules. (Nerd)
 
I like Serena said:
The origin of gravity is mass, while the origin of the electromagnetic forces is charge. (Nerd)

Which is in general the origin of the action-at-a-distance forces?? Or can we not say that in general?? (Wondering)
 
mathmari said:
Which is in general the origin of the action-at-a-distance forces?? Or can we not say that in general?? (Wondering)

I'm not aware of any general way to say it. (Shake)

They are called conservative forces, which means that whatever path is followed, the energy transferred will be the same. (Nerd)
 
Hey MHBers!

I think one way to address the general origin of action at a distance forces is to lean on the field theory notions for the gravitational and electromagnetic forces. For the gravitational case see the first two paragraphs of

Gravitational field - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 

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