Question

The force between two charged bodies is called
A.) muscular force
B.) gravitational force
C.) magnetic force
D.) electrostatic force

Answer 1

Hint: Recall the definition of fundamental forces and their subtypes.

Complete step by step answer:

Atoms in general are electrically neutral means that the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons, but since the electrons are loosely bound to the nucleus, they may be easily added to or removed from the atom. If electrons are removed from an electrically neutral atom, a negative ion is formed. Conversely, if electrons are added to an electrically neutral atom, a positive ion is formed.

Experiments with electric charge demonstrate a number of phenomena. The first of which is that the magnitude of the charge on the proton and the electron are the same and this value, called the smallest amount of free charge found in nature, is found to be that of the charge on the electron. Thus, one elementary charge has a magnitude of \[1.6\times {{10}^{^{-19}}}\]coulomb. The force between two charge bodies is known as electrostatic force.

Hence, the correct option is D, i.e., electrostatic force.

Additional Information:

Electric charge is an intrinsic property of matter just as mass. At the atomic level electric charge comes in three types and is carried by the three elementary particles. These charges are the proton (a positive electric charge), the electron (a negative electric charge), and the neutron (zero electric charge.)

These elementary particles are the building blocks for all matter and typical atomic structure as revealed by experiments has a heavy dense nucleus (composed of protons and neutrons) surrounded by electrons in specific probability distributions, or electron clouds called allowed orbitals.

Note: Students should understand four fundamental forces (gravitational force, weak force, electromagnetic force and strong force) and its subtypes. Students should also remember the distinction between forces so that they do not confuse between types of forces.