What is the electromagnetic force?
a force that governs how elements break down naturally
a force that attracts objects with mass towards each other
a force that holds atomic nuclei together
a force that acts on charged particles
the last one
k Q1 Q2 /r^2
where Q is the charge
and r is the distance between charges
like sign charges repel each other
+ and - attract each other
The correct answer is: a force that acts on charged particles.
The electromagnetic force is one of the fundamental forces of nature. It is responsible for the interactions between charged particles, such as electrons and protons. This force can either attract or repel charged objects, depending on their electric charges. When two like charges (positive or negative) are brought close together, they repel each other, while two opposite charges attract each other.
To understand this force, you can think about electric and magnetic fields. Electric fields are created by charged particles and exert forces on other charged particles within their vicinity. Magnetic fields, on the other hand, are created by moving charges or changing electric fields and can exert forces on other moving charges or currents.
To calculate the strength of the electromagnetic force between two charged particles, you can use Coulomb's Law, which states that the force is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
So, the electromagnetic force is not related to the breakdown of elements, attraction between objects with mass, or holding atomic nuclei together. It specifically acts on charged particles.