Electromagnetic force
The EM force is the force which acts between particles with a charge.
It helps to keep the electrons in orbit around the nucleus.
Strength
- It’s the second strongest of the 4 particle forces.
- The strength is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the particles or matter.
Range
- The electromagnetic force has effectively an infinite range.
- It can act over very large distances, but it’s usually only significant at the atomic level (when the distance is really small)
flashcards
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Electromagnetic force | The force which acts between particles with a charge. |
| What does the EM force do for electrons? | It helps to keep the electrons in orbit around the nucleus. |
| How strong is the electromagnetic force compared to the other three particle forces? | It is the second strongest. |
| How does the strength of the EM force relate to distance? | It is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the particles or matter. |
| What is the range of the electromagnetic force? | Effectively infinite. |
| Where is the EM force usually only significant? | At the atomic level, when the distance is really small. |