Repulsion
in physics, the force which compels certain bodies or their particles to recede from each other. No repulsion exists between bodies at sensible distances, except when they are in certain electric or magnetic states, in which case the repulsions between them are in the inverse ratio of the square of the distance. At insensible distances, some influence keeps the particles of a body from being in in absolute co contact, whence results the phenomenon of elas ticity. The motions produced by heat are also a cause of strong molecular repulsion. The molecules of gases are always in a state of mutual repulsion.