What are the key differences between the four fundamental forces?

The four fundamental forces are gravity, electromagnetism, strong nuclear force, and weak nuclear force.

Gravity is the weakest of the four fundamental forces, but it is the only force that acts over long distances and affects all matter. It is responsible for the attraction between two masses, such as the Earth and the Moon.

Electromagnetism is responsible for the interaction between electrically charged particles. It is much stronger than gravity and is responsible for the behavior of atoms and molecules. Electromagnetic forces can be attractive or repulsive, and they can act over long or short distances.

The strong nuclear force is responsible for holding the nucleus of an atom together. It is the strongest of the four fundamental forces and acts over very short distances. This force is what keeps protons and neutrons bound together in the nucleus, despite the repulsive electromagnetic forces between the positively charged protons.

The weak nuclear force is responsible for certain types of radioactive decay. It is much weaker than the strong nuclear force and acts over very short distances. This force is responsible for the conversion of a neutron into a proton and an electron, or vice versa, in certain types of radioactive decay.

In summary, the four fundamental forces differ in strength, distance over which they act, and the types of particles they interact with. Understanding these differences is crucial to understanding the behavior of matter and energy in the universe.