nuclear force
The term "nuclear force" refers to the strong interaction responsible for binding protons and neutrons within atomic nuclei, overcoming the repulsive forces between protons.
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Definition
C1Nuclear Physics
(technical, academic)The interaction that holds protons and neutrons together within an atomic nucleus.
Example
- The nuclear force is what keeps the nucleus of an atom stable.
- Despite the repulsion between protons, the nuclear force binds them together with neutrons.
C2Particle Physics
(technical, academic)The strong interaction that binds quarks together to form protons and neutrons.
Example
- Quarks are held together by the nuclear force to form nucleons.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "nuclear force":
strong nuclear forcestrong forcenuclear powernuclear energynuclear radiationgo nuclearnuclear buttonforce fieldnuclear option