Fundamental Forces notes

1. Fundamental Forces
of the Universe

2. There are four fundamental forces,
or interactions in nature.
• Strong nuclearStrong nuclear
• ElectromagneticElectromagnetic
• Weak nuclearWeak nuclear
• GravitationalGravitational
Strongest
Weakest

3. Title your page:
The Four Fundamental Forces of
Physics
Force Particles or Forms
of Matter involved
Definition of the
force
Strong Nuclear
Electromagnetic
Weak Nuclear
Gravitational

4. Strong nuclear force
• Holds the nuclei (protons and neutrons) ofHolds the nuclei (protons and neutrons) of
atoms togetheratoms together
(Think about it – those protons want to repel(Think about it – those protons want to repel
because they are positive charges, but thebecause they are positive charges, but the
strong force holds them together)strong force holds them together)
• Very strong, but only over very, very, veryVery strong, but only over very, very, very
short distances (within the nucleus of theshort distances (within the nucleus of the
atom)atom)

5. Electromagnetic force
• Causes electric and magnetic effectsCauses electric and magnetic effects
• Electrons repel each otherElectrons repel each other
• Opposite charges attract each otherOpposite charges attract each other
• Interactions between magnetsInteractions between magnets
• Weaker than the strong nuclear forceWeaker than the strong nuclear force
• Acts over a much longer distance range than theActs over a much longer distance range than the
strong nuclear forcestrong nuclear force

6. Weak nuclear force
• Responsible for nuclear decayResponsible for nuclear decay
• The force that causes the protons to repelThe force that causes the protons to repel
from each other.from each other.
• Weak and has a very short distance rangeWeak and has a very short distance range

7. Gravitational force
• Weakest of all fundamental forces, but actsWeakest of all fundamental forces, but acts
over very long distancesover very long distances
• The attraction between any objects with mass.The attraction between any objects with mass.
• Gravity increases when mass increases andGravity increases when mass increases and
objects are closer together.objects are closer together.

8. Summary
• Why is weak nuclear force is NOT the weakest of theWhy is weak nuclear force is NOT the weakest of the
fundamental forces?fundamental forces?

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