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An interaction in physics is a process by which one particle is enabled to influence (exert forces on) another. At present it seems that there are four interactions, which are summarized in this table:
There is one further effect which could be called an interaction. According to the Pauli exclusion principle no two electrons in an atom may be described by the same set of quantum numbers, which is equivalent to saying that the electrons can exert some sort of repulsive force on each other (quite apart from the Coulomb interaction).
Fields.
At this site we are mainly concerned with the electromagnetic and gravitational interactions. We visualize the following to happen:
(1) Body A establishes round itself a region in which it has the ability (or potential) to exert forces. This region is the field.
(2) If body B enters the field, then it experiences a force (as does A which is now in the field set up by B).
One can imagine the field to be the cause, and the force to be the effect.
In the past there has been a tendency to-emphasize the field aspect to develop the theory of the electromagnetic interaction, and the force aspect for.
Physical Laws
The aim of physics is to find some understanding of the physical world through the formulation of general principles. We look for statements that summarize ideas of importance with great precision and yet.