Some Flat Earth proponents claim:
"Gravity isn't real—it's just electrostatics! The formulas are the same, so gravity must be fake."
This claim sounds scientific at first glance but collapses under scrutiny. It relies on misusing similarities between equations and ignoring fundamental differences in how these forces operate. Let's unpack why this idea is incorrect.
Yes—gravitational and electrostatic forces look mathematically similar. But that doesn't mean they're the same. Here are the actual formulas side by side:
$$ F_g = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2} $$
$$ F_e = k \frac{q_1 q_2}{r^2} $$
| Property | Gravity | Electrostatics |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Mass | Electric charge |
| Force Direction | Always attractive | Can attract or repel |
| Strength | Very weak ($\sim$10⁻³⁸ vs EM) | Extremely strong |
| Governing Constant | $G \approx 6.674×10^{-11}$ | $k \approx 8.99×10^9$ |
| Detectable Effects | Large-scale (planets, stars) | Small-scale (atoms, particles) |
| Scientific Framework | General Relativity | Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) |
🔎 Just because two equations share an inverse-square law doesn't mean the phenomena are interchangeable. Many physical laws follow this pattern because of how forces spread through space—like ripples from a point source in three dimensions.
Flat Earth advocates often suggest:
"Objects fall because of electrostatic attraction, not gravity."
This fails basic experimental tests:
Neutral objects fall too Electrostatics requires charge. Yet neutral objects (no net charge) fall at the same rate as charged ones. Gravity affects all mass, regardless of electric charge.
No repulsive version of gravity Electrostatic forces can cancel out if equal and opposite charges are present. Gravity only attracts, and can't be neutralized or shielded.
Universal agreement with observations Gravitational theory explains:
Orbital motion of planets
Electrostatics explains none of these.
Another Flat Earth claim is:
"You can't have a vacuum next to a pressurized atmosphere without a barrier."
This is also false. Earth's atmosphere gradually thins out into space due to gravity, forming a smooth pressure gradient, not a sealed system. Here's what actually happens:
No barrier is needed—just gravity. And yes, some atmosphere does leak into space over time, called atmospheric escape, but gravity slows that loss dramatically.
Here's just a sample of how gravity is measurable and essential to modern science:
| Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 🛰 Satellites orbit Earth | Require precise gravity calculations to stay in orbit |
| 🌙 Moon landings and retroreflectors | Work only with gravity-based trajectory planning |
| 🌊 Ocean tides | Accurately predicted by gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun |
| ⏱ GPS systems | Adjust for time dilation from gravity (as per General Relativity) |
| 🪂 Free-fall experiments | Show objects fall at the same rate regardless of electrical charge |
| Flat Earth Claim | Scientific Reality |
|---|---|
| "Gravity is just electrostatics" | ❌ Gravity affects mass, not charge. It's always attractive |
| "The formulas are the same" | ⚠️ Mathematically similar, but physically different in every way |
| "Electrostatics explains falling" | ❌ Only applies to charged particles; fails with neutrals |
| "You need a container for pressure" | ❌ Gravity creates pressure gradients naturally over altitude |
Gravity and electrostatics both obey inverse-square laws, but:
They act on different properties (mass vs charge)
Experience the fundamental differences between gravity and electrostatic forces with this interactive simulation:
🔴 Left Click: Apply Gravitational Force (affects ALL particles)
🔵 Right Click: Apply Electromagnetic Force (affects only CHARGED particles)
Notice how gravity affects everything with mass, while electrostatic forces only affect charged particles!