Chapter 13: Nuclear Physics

Question 1

Describe the nature and range of the 3 forces acting on the protons and neutrons in the nucleus

Answer 1

1. Gravitational force: force is attractive and long-ranged (1/r^2)
2. Strong nuclear force: attractive or repulsive at very short distances and is short-ranged
3. Electrostatic force: repulsive
   between protons and long-ranged (1/r^2)