Force

In physics, a force is an influence capable of altering the motion of an object. Forces can bind objects together or push them apart, affecting their state of motion.

  • The push-pull interactions between things are explained by the interplay of forces.
  • The existence of forces explain how objects interact with each other throughout the entirety of the natural world.
  • Forces generate motion and can cause changes in velocity for objects possessing mass.
  • Changes in velocity encompass various scenarios, such as initiating motion from a state of rest, accelerating, or decelerating.
  • There are four fundamental forces that account for all the forms of pulling and pushing between things in the Universe.
    • Gravity governs the interactions between massive objects and is responsible for phenomena like planetary motion and the attraction of objects towards Earth.
    • The electromagnetic force is responsible for interactions between charged particles, such as electrons and protons, and is fundamental to electrical and magnetic phenomena.
    • The weak nuclear force is involved in processes like radioactive decay and plays a role in the interactions of subatomic particles.
    • The strong nuclear force binds atomic nuclei together and is responsible for the stability of matter.
  • Read more about the four fundamental forces here.
Related diagrams

Each diagram below can be viewed on its own page with a full explanation.

References