Which of the following is an example of the electromagnetic force?

• A. The force responsible for beta decay in a radioactive nucleus
• B. The force that keeps planets in orbit around the Sun
• C. The force that binds protons and neutrons together in the atomic nucleus
• D. The attraction between a positively charged glass rod and a negatively charged plastic rod

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the electromagnetic force is one of the four fundamental forces of nature and it acts between charged particles. It can cause attraction or repulsion depending on the charges involved.
2. Identify the options given and classify them according to the fundamental forces they represent: beta decay involves the weak nuclear force, planetary orbits are governed by gravity, and the force binding protons and neutrons is the strong nuclear force.
3. Recognize that the attraction between a positively charged glass rod and a negatively charged plastic rod is due to opposite electric charges attracting each other, which is a classic example of the electromagnetic force.
4. Recall that electromagnetic force includes both electric forces (between static charges) and magnetic forces (between moving charges), and this example falls under electric forces.
5. Conclude that the correct example of the electromagnetic force among the options is the attraction between the charged rods, as it directly involves electric charge interactions.