How does the strong nuclear force vary with distance?

The nuclear force is powerfully attractive between nucleons at distances of about 1 femtometre (fm, or 1.0 × 10−15 metres), but it rapidly decreases to insignificance at distances beyond about 2.5 fm. At distances less than 0.7 fm, the nuclear force becomes repulsive.

What happens to the strong force over distance?

The simple answer is that the strength depends on the range over which it is acting. At short distances the strong force is weak and at long distances it is strong. The strong force attraction between two protons has a complicated shape which depends on the distance between the protons.

Does strong nuclear force acts over long distances?

The strong nuclear force is a powerful force of attraction that acts only on the neutrons and protons in the nucleus. 1.It acts over short distances—approximately the diameter of a proton (10–15 m). 2.It is 100 times stronger than the electric force of repulsion at these distances.

Why is the strong nuclear force short range?

Since the nucleus is very small of order of about 10^ -15 m which is very small. So this force is alive only in the nuclear region of an atom. And hence it is called a Short Range Force. Originally Answered: Why does the strong force have a short range?

How does the strong nuclear force hold the nucleus of an atom together?

The strong force holds together quarks, the fundamental particles that make up the protons and neutrons of the atomic nucleus, and further holds together protons and neutrons to form atomic nuclei. As such it is responsible for the underlying stability of matter.

Why does the strong nuclear force become repulsive?

The strong force needs to be very intense to hold the protons together in such a small volume. The electromagnetic repulsion takes place within the nucleus between like electric charges. These charges are carried by the protons, whose close proximity to each other intensifies this repulsive force.

How does the strong force hold the nucleus together?

Particles of matter transfer energy by exchanging bosons with each other. The strong force is carried by a type of boson called a “gluon,” so named because these particles function as the “glue” that holds the nucleus and its constituent baryons together.