Here's why:
* Both forces are present: Both gravitational and electromagnetic forces act between charged particles like electrons. The electromagnetic force is responsible for the repulsion between the electrons' negative charges.
* Gravitational force is always attractive: While the electromagnetic force can be attractive or repulsive, gravity is always attractive. This means the gravitational force between two electrons will always be a tiny pull towards each other, even as the electromagnetic force pushes them apart.
* Strength comparison: The gravitational force is about 10^42 times weaker than the electromagnetic force at the scale of electrons. This means the electromagnetic force is dominant, but the gravitational force still contributes to the net force.
In practice:
* Negligible contribution: For most practical purposes, the gravitational force between electrons is so small that it is considered negligible. It's often ignored in calculations and experiments due to its minuscule impact.
* High-precision measurements: In some incredibly precise experiments or theoretical calculations where the gravitational force might be relevant, scientists must consider both forces for accurate results.
In conclusion:
While the gravitational force between electrons is incredibly weak, it's not entirely ignorable. Scientists must carefully consider the context and precision required to determine whether they can reasonably ignore this force.
