Which fundamental force is strongest at the scale of atomic nuclei?
Quick Answer
The strong nuclear force is the strongest of the four fundamental forces at subatomic distances. It binds quarks into protons and neutrons and holds nuclei together.
The Full Story
The strong nuclear force is the most powerful force in nature, but only over very short distances. It acts between quarks through gluons and between protons and neutrons inside atomic nuclei as a residual nuclear force. Despite the fact that protons electrically repel one another, the strong force overcomes that repulsion and keeps nuclei stable. It is the reason matter can form atoms and then larger structures. In particle physics, it is described by quantum chromodynamics, or QCD.
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
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"The strongest force is the one keeping atoms from falling apart."
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