• Question: What is the relationship of gravity to the other basic forces of the universe?

    Asked by k9markred to Daniela, Hannah, Ian, Jono, Mark on 16 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Ian Wilson

      Ian Wilson answered on 16 Jun 2013:

      Hi k9markred,

      Sorry but I’m not quite sure what you mean with this one. Could you be a bit more specific maybe?

      Thanks,

      Ian

    • Photo: Mark Hodson

      Mark Hodson answered on 17 Jun 2013:

      Hi k9markred,

      loads of famous scientists have tried to work this out including Einstein. Gravity is still a bit of a mystery and scientists are trying to incorporate it into a “grand unified theory” that links up gravity, electricity, magnetism etc. to explain how the universe works. It’s a tricky problem and I’m afraid I have no idea of the answer!

      Sometimes scientists just have to accept that at the moment we don’t know. Trying to find out is what makes it all fun.

      cheers

      m

    • Photo: Jono Bone

      Jono Bone answered on 17 Jun 2013:

      Hi k9markred,

      As Mark has said it is still a bit of a mystery even though lots of scientists have had there theories on the matter. One question scientists have asked is whether gravity is instantaneous, or whether there’s a speed limit to how fast the force of gravity can travel. Recent evidence from Chinese scientists based observing the tides on earth has supported hypothesis that gravity travels at the speed of light.

    • Photo: Hannah Brotherton

      Hannah Brotherton answered on 23 Jun 2013:

      Hi k9markred

      There are four forces in the Universe:
      The strong interaction: acts over 10-13 cm and is the force for small molecules like atoms.
      The electromagnetic force: the force of a magnet, repelling or attracting each other.
      The weak force: does what it says on the tin – its weak lol. this is the force that is responsible for radioactivity.
      Gravitational force: the longest but a very weak force

      But like the race between the tortoise and the hare, the slowest and more dedicated force will win. This is gravity.
      Why because it is long ranged and can act throughout the universe and always causes two pieces of matter to become attracted to each other.
      Because of its distance, it has an influence over the entire range of the universe, affecting everything within it………such as the other three forces.

      So the relationship between all the forces and gravity…..gravity is the big dog and every other force within it abides by its rule

      😀

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