Why are electromagnetic forces body/volume forces?

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    Electromagnetic Forces
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the classification of electromagnetic forces as body or volume forces. Participants clarify that electromagnetic forces act on all charged particles within a volume, thus qualifying as volume forces despite not affecting neutrons. The conversation highlights the distinction between force and acceleration, emphasizing that while protons experience a greater gravitational force due to their mass, both protons and electrons fall at the same acceleration rate of 9.81 m/s². This leads to the conclusion that definitions of volume forces may be misleading if not properly contextualized.

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  • Understanding of electromagnetic forces and their interactions
  • Basic knowledge of gravitational forces and acceleration
  • Familiarity with particle physics, specifically protons, electrons, and neutrons
  • Concept of body forces versus surface forces in physics
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Students and professionals in physics, particularly those studying electromagnetism and mechanics, as well as educators seeking to clarify concepts related to body and volume forces.

Logerah
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Hi,

I don't really get what the point of volume forces is, if electromagnetism is a volume force. Its obviously no surface force, but in my opinion the definition says that its no volume force as well. The link below describes volume forces as "a force acting on all particles (volume elements) of a given body and proportional to the mass of the particles. Gravitationalforce is an example of a volume force.".
But electromagnetic force doesn't affect neutrons. They also affect some particles more than others: electrons and protons have different mass and especially different charge.
Gravity is different. Every bit of mass is affected equally?!
Every source I found says its a body force so my thoughts must be wrong. Does anyone see where my mistake is?

http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Volume+Force
 
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Logerah said:
But electromagnetic force doesn't affect neutrons.
That does not matter. Its effects are in the whole volume, not limited to the surface. An interaction that would only affect electrons would still be called "volume force" if it would act on all electrons in the material.

Logerah said:
Every bit of mass is affected equally?!
With the same argument as you used for the charge, you could say "protons are heavier, they are affected more by gravity".
 
Ok, thank you.. So I think the definitions I read are a bit misleading.
mfb said:
With the same argument as you used for the charge, you could say "protons are heavier, they are affected more by gravity".
Protons should fall with 9,81m/s² and electrons, too. So they actually get affected the same... Or am I mistaken? Are the protons of a body on Earth pulled down more? That doesn't really make sense to me...
 
Logerah said:
Protons should fall with 9,81m/s² and electrons, too. So they actually get affected the same...
Depends on what you call "the same" - same force or same acceleration?
For protons the force is larger. The acceleration is the same for both of course.
 

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