why is gravity weaker than electromagnetism ?

Answer 1

Anthropic reasoning about our 'fine-tuned universe' shows us that very small variations in known physical constants would make the physical universe as we know it impossible. The 'dimensional leaking' aspect of some string theory formulations could be enlightening if we ever achieve a complete, consistent string theory with explanatory value. That's not just a statement of pessimism; it's a statement that we're not there yet. Until that time, we don't know why gravity is weaker.

Answer 2

Is it really? What people mean when they say it is weaker is that the gravitational force between electrons is WAY smaller that the electrical force between those electrons. But is that really a fair comparison?

You could compute the ratio of the strengths of the forces and then claim that gravity is that many times weaker, but then you could have used two protons instead of two electrons and come up with a different ratio (because protons are much more massive than electrons).

I'm not so sure this is a good comparison.

Answer 3

Gravity is weaker than Electromagnetism because E-mag creates fast-moving current fields, that are exerting more force on particles than just Gravity. Since gravity is fairly variable, some E-mag fields are less weak than others, but always stronger than Gravity

Answer 4

Gravity is much weaker than E-M.But why?
It is a tough question.
But gravity is still there over a large distance, such as galaxy distance. E-M does not last that long a distance.

Answer 5

Gravity leaks through to the other dimensions. -It has the same strength, but it is shared by 11(?) other dimensions and thus appears weaker in this one.
Electromagnetistm only applies to this dimesnion- and is comparitively stronger.

Welcome to String Theory.

Answer 6

since we Know what gravity does but not how it is a tough question. Basically it takes a great deal of mass to produce a meaningful gravitational field but electromagnetism can be produced at high levels in a small area.

Answer 7

I would tell you ... but then you would get the Nobel Prize instead of me. Seriously, uniting the forces of nature into a common theory (that hopefully would answer your question) is still one of the holy grails of physics. String theory is a popular candidate ... but there have been other popular candidates, too. Einstein spent the last half of his life trying to solve this.