Why is it that it's the gravitational force that keeps me on the ground?

In summary, the conversation explains that the gravitational force, rather than the electrical force, is what keeps us on the ground. This is because the electrical force is generally much stronger, but in the case of objects with no net charge, like atoms and humans, the forces are balanced and there is no long distance force. The electromagnetic force also helps prevent us from falling through the ground.
  • #1
shseo0315
19
0
Why is it that it's the gravitational force that keeps me on the ground?

Rather than the electrical force?

In general, and by the equation, electrical force is much stronger than the gravitational force!
 
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  • #2
Electrical force are balanced. In other words, the summation of electrical charges on Earth should be zero, so there is no forces. You are made of atoms, which are have 0 electrical charge, and the Earth is made of atoms too, so no force in between.
 
  • #3
shseo0315 said:
In general, and by the equation, electrical force is much stronger than the gravitational force!
Between a pair of charged elementary particles--like an electron or proton--the electrical force is much stronger than the gravitational force. But you are not a charged particle--you have a huge mass (compared to either of those) and essentially zero charge.
 
  • #4
Well, electromagnetic force keeps you from falling THROUGH the ground but since you have no net charge, there is no basis for a long distance force.

[edit] ...quick draw fail!
 
Last edited:
  • #5
russ_watters said:
...quick draw fail!
:rofl:
 
  • #6
Thank you folks!
 

1. How does gravity work?

Gravity is a force of attraction that exists between all objects with mass. It is the result of the curvature of space and time caused by massive objects, such as planets and stars. This curvature causes objects to move towards each other, which is what we perceive as gravity.

2. Why is it that it's the gravitational force that keeps me on the ground?

Earth's gravity is what keeps us on the ground. The Earth's mass creates a gravitational pull that is strong enough to keep us from floating off into space. This is also why we feel lighter on other planets with less mass, and heavier on planets with more mass.

3. How does gravity affect objects differently?

Gravity affects all objects with mass equally, but the strength of the gravitational force depends on the mass of the objects and the distance between them. For example, the more massive an object is, the stronger its gravitational pull will be. And the further away an object is, the weaker the gravitational force will be.

4. Can gravity be weakened or eliminated?

No, gravity is a fundamental force of the universe and cannot be weakened or eliminated. However, its effects can be counteracted by other forces, such as the force of lift from an airplane's engines, allowing us to overcome the pull of Earth's gravity and fly.

5. Why do objects fall towards the Earth?

Objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of gravity. The Earth's mass creates a gravitational pull that attracts all objects towards its center. This is why when we drop something, it falls towards the ground instead of floating away.

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