• The similarities and differences between gravitational and electrostatic forces are listed in the table below:

Table Comparing G and E Fields

Similarities between Gravitational & Electric Fields

• The key?similarities?are:
  • The magnitude of the gravitational and electrostatic force between two point masses or charges follow?inverse square law?relationships
  • The field lines around a?spherical masses?and?spherical charges?are?radial
  • The field lines in a?uniform?gravitational and electric field are identical (they are?parallel?and?equally?spaced)
  • The?gravitational field strength?and?electric field strength both have a ?relationship in a?radial field
  • The?gravitational potential?and?electric potential both have a?relationship

   

Differences between Gravitational & Electric Fields

• The key?differences?are:
  • The gravitational force acts on particles with?mass?whilst the electrostatic force acts on particles with?charge
  • The gravitational force is?always?attractive whilst the electrostatic force can be attractive?or?repulsive
  • The gravitational potential is?always?negative whilst the electric potential can be either negative?or?positive