Final answer:
The ratio of electrostatic to gravitational force is a comparison of the strength of Coulomb force and gravitational force. For electrons, the ratio reflects the much stronger electrostatic force, while for protons, the larger mass results in a slightly decreased ratio due to the greater gravitational interaction. The difference in the ratios is due to the different masses of electrons and protons.
Step-by-step explanation:
When finding the ratio of the electrostatic to gravitational force between two charged particles, such as electrons or protons, we are comparing the strength of the Coulomb force with that of the gravitational force governed by Newton's law of universal gravitation.
(a) Ratio for Electrons:
The electrostatic force between two electrons is given by Coulomb’s law, while the gravitational force is calculated using Newton's law of universal gravitation. Since both electrons have the same charge and mass, the ratio remains constant regardless of the distance between them, demonstrating the vastly superior strength of the Coulomb force over gravitational forces at this scale.
(b) Ratio for Protons:
The ratio of electrostatic to gravitational force for two protons also displays a significant difference favoring the electrostatic interaction, as protons have much more mass than electrons. Therefore, while the electric charge of protons affects the electostatic force the same way as it does for electrons, their larger mass increases the gravitational interaction, changing the ratio compared to that of two electrons.
(c) Difference in Ratios:
The different ratios observed for electrons and protons arise from their different masses. The mass of a proton is significantly greater than that of an electron, resulting in a larger gravitational force between protons and thus a different ratio when compared to electrons.