How big does something have to be to exert a gravitational force?

Question

I mean, from what I understand, everything in the universe attracts everything else. But that means every tiny molecule... but does that mean every electron? An electron is spinning... i.e. moving very fast. So that must mean its gravitational centre is shifting as it orbits the atom. i.e. every other molecule in the universe is being attracted to a slightly different point as this electron moves in its orbit. If you multiply such a fiddly relationship for every single molecule in the universe... I just don't understand how there is enough room for that sort of complexity. Like, random electron A in one part of the universe, is actually related via gravity with random electon B. Multiply that by the number of electrons in the universe! Do things smaller than electrons have gravity? Quarks? How does a tiny little quark emit gravity!? Communicating with the entire universe!? Please explain!

Answer 1

If it has *mass*, it exerts a gravitional force.

Period.

At the atomic and subatomic levels other quantum forces may be more important (stronger), but it is still there.

Answer 2

it doesnt have to be big it only has to have mass. At the quantum level gravity is so weak its almost not worth mentioning. When you just off a building and hit the ground what do you think stops you? Its the electromagnetic repulsion between the atoms of your body and the ground, and its so much stronger than gravity that it stops you instantly, unfortunantly killing you in the process. Another example of how weak gravity is is the simple fact you can pick anything up! You have the entire mass of the Earth pulling on you, 5.972 x 10^24 kg, thats 5972000000000000000000000 kilograms, or 1.493 x 10^25 pounds, 14930000000000000000000000 pounds, and you can still manage to lift something up.
anyway, gravity at the quantum level is nothing compared to the electromagnetic forces, and even less important to the strong and weak nuclear forces, that keep the nuclei of atoms together. There are things called gauge particles in the Standard Model of Physics, which carry forces on a quantum level. An example is the photon(light), which is the gauge particle for electromagnetic interaction. There is a theoretical particle for gravity, the graviton, which is the force particle for gravity, but it has yet to be observed. Its incredibely small if it does exist, which creates problems in finding it...

Answer 3

Everything that has mass exerts gravitational force. In your question regarding the electron, it behaves the way it does do to the balance of all forces electomagnetic, gravitional etc. incase of an electron the mass is negligible and gravtational force is not significant. Every object in the universe is subject to elemntal forces that govern its behaviour. Incase of particles of smaller sizes, gravitation is not negligible but when we talk about stars and planets it becomes significant and there electrical forces are negligible. I am listed 2 sources which will help you understand gravitional forces and the second all elemental forces. This atleast in part should answer your question.

Answer 4

Its actually more complex still.

All energy and all mass is affected by gravity. This means that gravity depends on how fast particles are moving relative to one another, and can also act between massless partciles like photons.

The effect of gravity from a large mass on a tiny particle like a photon are quite measurable, but between say two photons are so tiny as to be almost immeasurable.

Answer 5

the reason it works is that the protons and nuetrons in the nuclues have so much more mass in relation to the electrons that, although you may or may not be right, it does not make enough of a difference

just remeber the ration in mass between the protons+nuetrons in relation to the electrons

Answer 6

Discounting quantum effects, your subatomic particle will cause a depression in spacetime that radiates outwards to infinity at the speed of light.