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

Table Comparing G and E Fields

• The key similarities are:
  • The magnitude of the gravitational and electrostatic force between two point masses or charges are?inverse square law?relationships
  • The field lines around a?point mass?and?negative point charge?are identical
  • The field lines in a?uniform?gravitational and electric field are identical
  • The?gravitational field strength?and?electric field strength?both have a 1 / r2?relationship in a?radial field
  • The?gravitational potential?and?electric potential?both have a 1 / r relationship
  • Equipotential surfaces?for both gravitational and electric fields are?spherical?around a point mass or charge and?equally spaced?parallel lines in uniform fields
  • The work done in each field is either the product of the?mass?and change in potential or?charge?and change in potential

   

• 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