Chapter 4, Problem 95A

To determine

An explanation about the four categories of forces of nature and also provide the situation in which the gravitational, electromagnetic, weak nuclear, and strong nuclear forces occur.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

According to the physicists, all the forces in nature are classified under four categories namely, gravitational, electromagnetic, weak nuclear, and strong nuclear forces.

Gravitational force:

The Gravitational force is the weak force existing between two or more bodies. The gravitational force is a force with long-range and its effect depends upon the masses of the object involved and the distance between them.

For example: Consider a situation when a person throws an object up in the sky, then the gravitational force is responsible for the object to come down to each after attaining a certain height.

Strong nuclear force:

The strong nuclear force is a strong force that holds the nucleus of an atom together. This is the force of a very short range and is attractive in nature.

For example,strong nuclear forces are used in the generation of a huge amount of electricity from nuclear power plants.

Electromagnetic force:

The electromagnetic force is also stronger in nature, next to the strong nuclear force. This force exists between the charged particles. The nature of this force may be attractive or repulsive depending upon the charges of the particle involved.

For example,the electromagnetic force is used medical diagnosis purposes such as for taking an MRI (magnetic resonance scan) of the body.

Weak nuclear force:

This is the weakest force in nature that exists between the particles. This force is of very short range.

For example: The weak nuclear force is responsible for the $\beta$ decay which is a type of radioactive decay.