Why are the forces often called fundamental or basic forces? Where are these forces found? How are other forces related to them?
1 Answer
See below.
Explanation:
There are 4 basic or fundamental forces. They are called so because every interaction between things in the Universe can be boiled down to them. Two of them are "macro", meaning they affect things that are atom-sized and bigger, and two are "micro", meaning they affect things in atomic scale. They are:
A) Macro:
1) Gravity. It bends space, makes things orbit other things, "attracts' things to each other, etc, etc. It's why we don't get flung out to space.
2) Electromagnetism. It is responsible for electricity and magnetism.
B) Micro:
1) Strong force. This is what makes the nucleus of atoms stay together. They are composed or particles that either have a positive electric charge or a neutral one. If there was no Strong force the nucleus of any atom besides hydrogen would not stay together.
2) Weak force. This is what regulates nuclear decay. It sets the rules for nuclear fission and atom decay.
Any other interactions or forces we observe in the Universe, be it stellar fusion, a running car engine, a nuclear bomb or a functioning brain, can all be explained through these forces and we can't go more basic than them. That is why they are called fundamental.
