Question

The table lists the values of the constants used to calculate the electrical force and the gravitational force.

Which best explains how the constants affect the electrical and gravitational forces?

A) The electrical force is much smaller than the gravitational force because 8.99 is much greater than 6.67.
B) The electrical force is much larger than the gravitational force because 8.99 is much greater than 6.67.
C) The electrical force is much smaller than the gravitational force because 109 is much greater than 10–11.
D) The electrical force is much larger than the gravitational force because 109 is much greater than 10–11.

Answer 1

Both electric force and gravitational force are conservative and obey inverse square law.

The electric force between two charges q and q' separated by a distance r is calculated as-

`F{e} =K(qq')/(r^2)`

Here K is the proportionality constant whose value is
`(1)/(4\pi\epsilon)`

`Its\ value\ is\ given\ as\ 8.99*10^9 Nm^2C^-2`

The gravitational force between two masses m and m' separated by a distance r is given as -

`F_(g) =K'(mm')/(r^2)`

Here K' is the proportionality constant whose value is G .

G is called gravitational force constant and its value is given
`6.67*10^-11Nm^2kg^-2`

The electric force is a stronger force and gravitational force is a weaker force.

It is obvious that the value of constant for electric force is much larger than the gravitational force constant.

Out of the four options given in the question the the option four is the correct answer i.e D) The electrical force is much larger than the gravitational force because 10^9 is much greater than 10–11.

Answer 2

The answer that best explains how the constants affect the electrical and gravitational forces is: D) The electrical force is much larger than the gravitational force because 109 is much greater than 10-11.