If gravity is intrinsically so weak compared to the strong force, why do we say that gravity rather than the strong force keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun?
1 Answer
Dec 15, 2015
Gravity may be relatively weak but it acts over long distances, unlike the strong force.
Explanation:
The strong, and also the weak, nuclear forces only act over very short distances. The strong force hold the nucleons together in a nucleus. They don't have long reaching effect.
Gravity, and also the electromagnetic force, act over much longer distances. Only gravity has the range to keep planets in orbit around a sun.
