A sizable fraction of citizens would agree: The world in which we live was created by God. Consciously or unconsciously, when we observe our world we observe evidence of the Creator’s work each moment of our lives. God fine-tuned the parameters of the physical universe when He created the heavens and the earth in the beginning (Genesis 1:1).
One of the foremost discoveries of modern scientists is the existence of four fundamental forces. In one way or another these four fundamental forces relate to virtually everything we observe and experience each moment of our lives. YouTube science commentator Arvin Ash listed a few everyday activities pervaded by one or more of these forces—the sun shining, brain activity, water evaporating, every process…every chemical reaction, every movement, every thought. Other scientists propose similar lists.
Scientists identify four fundamental forces of nature:
STRONG NUCLEAR FORCE
When we observe any type of matter, scientists realize if the strong nuclear force were not acting, the matter would chaotically disintegrate. In reality, atoms and the particles that compose atoms—protons and neutrons—are held together in the nucleus of the atom by the strong nuclear force, over 100 times stronger than the next strongest force, but acting only over incredibly small distances. We could say particles within atoms cohere. They hold together by the strong nuclear force.
The Apostle Paul penned the New Testament epistle to the Colossians. A familiar New Testament passage (Colossians 1:16-17) states: “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Casual readers of scripture may wish to state that the New Testament author is proposing a scientific truth in a pre-scientific age. Bible commentators have speculated on these possibilities. They are known as “concordists.”
Before discussing the other three fundamental forces, we refer to our visual perception of every phenomenon in our world. These perceptions would be non-existent in a world where atomic particles did not cohere (hold together). In addition, the elements and compounds in DNA would not exist. Life would be impossible without the strong nuclear force.
ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCE
Surrounding an electric current is an electric field. Surrounding a magnet is a magnetic field. Scientists in the 19th century discovered that these two forces are related. They work together to generate an electromagnetic force, about 100 times weaker than the strong nuclear force. Together they generate various electromagnetic “waves” which supply our societies with many types of communication and information transmission. We could not see or otherwise communicate by radio, television, internet or other media capabilities without electromagnetic forces. Heat travels through space from the sun by infrared waves. They spread out, and their range is infinite.
Various waves (photons—energy packets) of electromagnetic force occur in infinite frequencies and wavelengths. Electromagnetic forces such as visible light enable us to observe the shapes and colors of surrounding objects and perceive the reality and beauty of our environment. We worship Our Creator for His infinite wisdom.
WEAK NUCLEAR FORCE
This force is several million times weaker than the strong nuclear force. It relates to radioactivity and acts over short distances. The weak nuclear force changes a neutron to a proton in a process called beta decay. Hydrogen is fused into helium. Large quantities of energy are released. The weak nuclear force is present within our sun. Without the weak nuclear force our universe as we know it could not exist.
GRAVITATIONAL FORCE
Gravitational force is trillions of times weaker than the strong nuclear force and It acts over infinite distances. Gravitation is an attractive force. Objects with mass attract other objects with mass. The force of gravity is perceived by young children learning to walk. Children soon learn to orient their bodies in response to gravitation. All objects are attracted to our planet by gravity. The Earth continues in its predictable orbit around our life-giving sun. Gravity also holds Earth’s atmosphere close to the planet surface to the obvious benefit of air breathing life.
Scientists first began to think seriously about universal forces several centuries ago. Strong and weak nuclear forces were described only in the last 100 years. We link one of our 2008 blog posts. The post discusses an early theological insight (possibly also a scientific insight) discussed by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament book of Colossians:
http://jasscience.blogspot.com/2008/08/all-things-hold-together.html
