Name: Introduction to Van de Graaff Generator
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 5 min 52 s
Description: If you keep charging a metallic conductor, it will eventually become a potential bomb. A machine was specially designed to generate and handle such high pote...

Question

Electrostatic forces can be attractive or repulsive while the gravitational force is attractive in nature. Also, the gravitational force is much weaker compared to the electrostatic force. Can you describe any other similarities or differences between electrostatic and gravitational forces?

Accepted Answer

The gravitational force does not depend on intervening medium between two masses. It means whether the two masses are present in water or in the air, the gravitational force experienced by them will be the same. On the other hand, the electrostatic force between the two charges depends on the medium in which they are present. The force between two charges in water will be different from that in the air. The electrostatic and the gravitational forces are long ranged forces. Although, in case of electrostatic forces the force is not so apparent as usually we deal with smaller charges. While in the case of gravitational forces, the interaction is apparent when we deal with celestial bodies with huge masses although they are situated at very-very large distances.

William Heathcote Solutions for Chapter: Interaction, Exercise 8: Exercise 8

William Heathcote Physics Solutions for Exercise - William Heathcote Solutions for Chapter: Interaction, Exercise 8: Exercise 8

Questions from William Heathcote Solutions for Chapter: Interaction, Exercise 8: Exercise 8 with Hints & Solutions

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