Which of the following statements is true about electrical forces?

Options

A. Electrical forces are produced by electrical charges.
B. Like charges attract, unlike charges repel.
C. Electric forces are weaker than gravitational forces.
D. Positive and negative charges can combine to produce a third type of charge.

Answer

To determine which of the given statements about electrical forces is true, we will analyze each statement step by step.

**Step 1: Analyze the first statement**
- The first statement claims that electrical forces are produced by electrical charge.
- This is true because electrical forces arise from the interaction between charged particles. The formula for the electrical force is given by Coulomb's law:
\[ F = k \frac{Q_1 Q_2}{R^2} \]
where \( F \) is the electrical force, \( Q_1 \) and \( Q_2 \) are the magnitudes of the charges, \( R \) is the distance between the charges, and \( k \) is Coulomb's constant. Since the force depends on the charges, this statement is true.

**Step 2: Analyze the second statement**
- The second statement suggests that like charges attract and unlike charges repel.
- This statement is incorrect. In reality, like charges repel each other, while unlike charges attract. Therefore, this statement is false.

**Step 3: Analyze the third statement**
- The third statement asserts that electrical forces are weaker than gravitational forces.
- This statement is also false. In fact, electrical forces are typically much stronger than gravitational forces. For example, the electrical force between two electrons is significantly greater than the gravitational force acting between them.

**Step 4: Analyze the fourth statement**
- The fourth statement claims that positive and negative charges can combine to produce a third charge.
- This statement is misleading. When a positive charge and a negative charge come together, they neutralize each other, resulting in a neutral charge, not a new type of charge. Thus, this statement is false.

**Conclusion:**
After analyzing all four statements, we find that only the first statement is true: "Electrical forces are produced by electrical charge."