Answer to Question #188167 in Electric Circuits for Masoom

Question

B. Using a hydrogen atom as an example, compare the gravitational 

and the electrostatic forces between a proton and and electron

Answer 1

A large mass, such as the Earth, is required to produce significant gravitational forces. For example, the electrical force that holds the electron and proton together in the hydrogen atom is about 10^-8N. The gravitational force between the same electron and proton is 40 orders of magnitude less.