Question

In a nucleus there are several protons, all of which have positive charge. Why does the electrostatic repulsion fail to push the nucleus apart?

Answer 1

Answer:

This is due to strong nuclear force between the nucleus. The stron nuclear force acts between all the particles i.e. protons and neutrons and hold them together. This strong nuclear force is greater than electromagnetic force, and thus the electromagnetic repulsion cannot push the nucleus apart.

However, strong nuclear forces acts only at a very short distances at a very short distances i.e. at about 3 × $10^{-15}$ m. Thus, at long distances electromagnetic force holds a bigger hand and at short distances like that of a nucleus strong nuclear force has a bigger hand.

Strong nuclear force arises due to binding force or binding energy of nucleus. It is found that the total mass of the nucleus is less than the sum of the mass of the total number of nucleus (proton and neutron). The lost mass is converted into energy which we can calculate with the help of Einstein's mass energy conversion formula E = m(lost) c2 . This energy is called binding energy which holds the nucleons together.