What is the difference between gravitational force and electric force

This lesson will answer those questions. Useful tool: Units Conversion. The gravitational force equation and the electrostatic force equation can be seen as parallel to each other.

The Universal Gravitation Equation states the force of attraction between two objects, where the mass is considered concentrated at their centers of mass:. The electrostatic force equation is called Coulomb's Law and states the force of attraction between particles of opposite electrical charge.

It also represents the force of repulsion for like charges:. From looking at the two force equations, you can see the similarities and how gravitational force can be considered parallel to the force between two charges. Besides being proportional to the inverse of the square of the separation, both forces extend to infinity. They also both travel at the speed of light. One major difference is in the strength of the forces. The gravitational attraction between two electrons is only 8.

However, gravitation usually is concerned with large masses, while any large collection of charges will quickly neutralize. Another difference between the two forces is the fact that gravitation only attracts, while electrical forces attract when the electrical charges are opposite and repel if the charges are similar. Thus, gravitation is considered a monopole force, while electrostatics is a dipole force.

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Improve this question. PhonesHome E. Share Bookmark. See Units. These similarities, and some differences, are shown below. Similarities Differences Inverse Square Laws Electric forces are stronger on small scales while Gravitational forces are stronger on a massive scale Both have fields Electric force can be both repulsive and attractive but gravity only attracts Both have potential lines Electric force results from charge but gravitational force results from mass. Was this guide helpful?

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