Atomic Nucleus

[MedPR]

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Is the strong nuclear force the only thing responsible for keeping the neutrons and protons together?

 

[theseeker4]

Is the strong nuclear force the only thing responsible for keeping the neutrons and protons together?

Yes, the strong force is the only force that holds them together. Electromagnetic force, in fact, opposes the strong nuclear force holding protons to protons (but obviously has no force on the neutrons, since they are neutral.)

 

[MedPR]

Yes, the strong force is the only force that holds them together. Electromagnetic force, in fact, opposes the strong nuclear force holding protons to protons (but obviously has no force on the neutrons, since they are neutral.)

Ok and the strong nuclear force only exists inside the nucleus? I got a problem wrong where I thought that a bunch of point charges (protons) in a "sea of electrons" were being held together by strong nuclear force.

The answer says "the strong nuclear force binds protons and neutrons within a nucleus; it does not bind atoms to each other."

 

[theseeker4]

Ok and the strong nuclear force only exists inside the nucleus? I got a problem wrong where I thought that a bunch of point charges (protons) in a "sea of electrons" were being held together by strong nuclear force.

The answer says "the strong nuclear force binds protons and neutrons within a nucleus; it does not bind atoms to each other."

That is correct. It is the strongest force, but it has an extremely short range. Atoms are too far apart for the strong force to come into play, it is only when the protons and neutrons make contact (essentially) that the strong force between them occurs (for lack of a better word) and they are bound together.

 

[MedPR]

That is correct. It is the strongest force, but it has an extremely short range. Atoms are too far apart for the strong force to come into play, it is only when the protons and neutrons make contact (essentially) that the strong force between them occurs (for lack of a better word) and they are bound together.

Ok thank you! I've never really encountered anything talking about the strong nuclear force until this question. I knew it existed but never knew anything about it.

 

[chiddler]

electrons are only electromagnetic, right?

 

[MedPR]

electrons are only electromagnetic, right?

Yea I believe so.