Basic forces

 There are four basic forces or interactions known in nature.

Gravitational forces or gravity

Gravitational forces or gravity act between all objects in proportion to their masses. Gravitational forces between atoms or subatomic particles are so small that they are of no chemical significance.

Electromagnetism or electromagnetic forces

Electromagnetism or electromagnetic forces act between electrically charged or magnetic objects. Electric and magnetic forces are intimately related. Electric forces are of fundamental importance in understanding the chemical behaviour of atoms. The magnitude of the electrical force between two charged particles is given by Coulomb's law as follows.

Coulomb Law: F = kQ₁Q₂ / d²

• Q₁  and  Q₂  are the magnitudes of the charges on the two particles
• d is the distance between their centers
• k is a constant determined by the units for Q and d.

A negative value for the force indicates attraction and a positive value indicates repulsion.

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