Question

Which of the following forces have infinite range?

• A. Gravitational force
• B. Weak nuclear force
• C. Electromagnetic force
• D. Strong nuclear force

Hint:

Among the fundamental forces, only gravitational force is known to have an infinite range, although its effect weakens with distance.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

- Gravitational force: This is the correct answer. Gravitational force has an infinite range. It acts between any two masses and decreases with the square of the distance between them, but it never completely disappears. It has an infinite range because there is no distance at which it becomes zero.
- Weak nuclear force: The weak nuclear force has a very short range (approximately \(10^{-18}\) meters). It is responsible for processes like beta decay and does not have an infinite range.
- Electromagnetic force: The electromagnetic force has an infinite range in theory, but its strength depends on the medium. In vacuum, it is long-range, but in practical scenarios, its effect can be shielded or diminished by the environment. Still, it is generally considered to have a range extending indefinitely.
- Strong nuclear force: The strong nuclear force has a very short range, typically acting only over distances of the order of a nucleus (around \(10^{-15}\) meters). It is responsible for holding protons and neutrons together in the nucleus.
Thus, the correct answer is Gravitational force (1), as it is the force with infinite range.