Forces of Nature
Forces of Nature
The term "forces of nature" refers to the capabilities of the natural world that enable its various members to act on and interact with one another. Nature—the whole system of galaxies, stars, planets, and living things, along with the atoms and molecules of which they are composed—is interactive. Each of its parts interacts with its environment—both near and distant—and responds to the various forces acting on it. In current physics, these forces number four: the strong and weak nuclear forces, the electromagnetic force, and the gravitational force. In discussions relating science and religion, there is considerable interest in comparing or contrasting action by the forces of nature with divine action on the natural world.
See also Divine Action; Gravitation; Laws of Nature; Physics, Particle
howard j. van till
More From encyclopedia.com
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
Forces of Nature