What force primarily binds the nucleus together?

What force primarily binds the nucleus together?

• A. Nuclear force
• B. Electromagnetic force
• C. Gravitational force
• D. Weak nuclear force

Answer: (A)

Inside the nucleus, protons and neutrons are held together by the strong nuclear force, a short-range interaction that becomes effective only over the size of a nucleus. This force is attractive between nucleons and is far stronger than other forces at these distances, so it overcomes the electromagnetic repulsion between positively charged protons. The electromagnetic force would push protons apart, making a nucleus unstable if not for the strong force binding them. Gravitational force is inconsequential at subatomic scales, and the weak nuclear force governs certain decay processes rather than binding. So the primary force binding the nucleus is the nuclear (strong) force.

Inside the nucleus, protons and neutrons are held together by the strong nuclear force, a short-range interaction that becomes effective only over the size of a nucleus. This force is attractive between nucleons and is far stronger than other forces at these distances, so it overcomes the electromagnetic repulsion between positively charged protons. The electromagnetic force would push protons apart, making a nucleus unstable if not for the strong force binding them. Gravitational force is inconsequential at subatomic scales, and the weak nuclear force governs certain decay processes rather than binding. So the primary force binding the nucleus is the nuclear (strong) force.