Or something else...
2007-04-25 12:31:41 · 7 answers · asked by LUCKY3 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Hmmmmmmmm.......interesting question actually. These are the effects. We physicists don't know exactly *what* gravity is, per se. It can be measured. It can do work ('work' according to the scientific definition of work). It can be predicted and it is known, but to know what it is exactly.....we do not.
So...is it a physical thing........yes and know. It's there, but it's not. It is what we science geeks call 'action-at-a-distance' type of force.
Blowing paper off someone's desk....you can see the paper flutter and then whisk off the desk. You may even be able to feel the air. You can feel its effects, but you can't really see it. Colorless & odorless (assuming clean air). Gravity.....you can feel your weight, but that's its effect on you here on Earth.
magnetism....similar thing. You can see it move certain metal objects. You can't see magnetism, but you can see what it does.
Is it there?
Are THEY there....yes....and no. Is it real? Yes....is it physical? Well.....yes and now....lol.
Make any sense??
2007-04-25 13:02:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Magnetism is indeed a physical entity, the electromagnetic force is carried by photons, gravity is a little more complicated. The best theory of gravitation we have right now is General Relativity which states that gravity is an inertial force. And if you remember from basic Physics classes an inertial force is an aparent force that acts on a mass in a reference frame that is due to the acceleration of the frame, not a physical interaction. For example if you're driving in a car and you suddenly brake, the car slows down but your body wants to keep going forward. It feels like some force is pushing or pulling you, that is an inertial force, and according to General Relativity gravity is such a force too.
2007-04-25 13:08:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think of it like this: about 10 raised to the minus 43 seconds ago at the time of the BIG BANG (Planck Time, named after the German physics professor who came up with it) there were four forces, which were as one until they got pushed really close together and generated more energy than had ever been generated in the known universe up until that time:(1 Small atomic force, (2 Large atomic force (3 Force due to gravity (4 and Electro-magnetic force. Then BIG BANG and the four forces became individual entities
2007-04-25 12:40:02 · answer #3 · answered by Ke Xu Long 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In an Einsteinian way probably both.
Force and energy seems to transend the realm of the physical world and enter the metaphysical world as they are more of a form than a substance.
They are still being recalibrated to determine their exact strength, so for those who think this is physical, check their history books and see how the force of each has changed over time.
And for those who think about it there are both social magnetism and social gravity in every relationship.
I go with something else.
2007-04-25 14:01:37 · answer #4 · answered by LORD Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Magnetism is part of the electromagnetic force, one of the four fundamental forces. Gravity is also one of the four fundamental forces. The other two are the strong and the weak nuclear forces.
2007-04-25 12:50:05 · answer #5 · answered by Superconductive Magnet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That depends purely on your definition of entity. If it is 'Something having a real existence' then yes, both are real, and both exist. If that doesn't answer your question, ask a more precise question.
2007-04-25 18:26:54 · answer #6 · answered by Frank N 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. They have observable, measurable impacts on the world.
2007-04-25 12:35:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋