What are the four fundamental forces of nature?

The four fundamental forces of nature, recognized in physics, are gravitational, electromagnetic, strong, and weak forces.

Gravitational force is the attraction between objects due to their masses, influencing large-scale interactions such as the motion of planets and the behavior of galaxies. The electromagnetic force governs interactions between charged particles and is responsible for electricity, magnetism, and the binding of atoms, playing a critical role in chemistry and the structure of matter. The strong force, also known as the strong nuclear force, binds protons and neutrons within an atomic nucleus, while the weak force is responsible for certain types of radioactive decay and is crucial in processes such as nuclear fusion in stars.

Other choices present forces that are either specific applications or arise from the fundamental forces rather than representing the fundamental interactions themselves. For example, centripetal and tension forces are not fundamental forces; they are derived from the effects of motion and contact interactions. Similarly, magnetic and electric forces are manifestations of the electromagnetic force rather than distinct forces. Friction, tension, and normal forces are all contact forces resulting from electromagnetic interactions at the microscopic level, but they do not encompass the broader categories of forces that define fundamental interactions in nature.