Question

What is the name of the force that holds the nucleus of an atom together?

• A. Electromagnetic force
• B. Gravitational force
• C. Strong nuclear force
• D. Weak nuclear force

Hint:

Remember the four fundamental forces and their roles:
Strong force binds nucleus; Electromagnetic acts between charges; Gravity is weakest; Weak force causes decay.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The nucleus of an atom is composed of protons and neutrons. Despite the repulsive electromagnetic forces between positively charged protons, the nucleus stays together due to the strong nuclear force.
Step 1: Understanding forces
- Electromagnetic force causes repulsion between protons.
- Gravitational force is too weak at atomic scales to hold the nucleus.
- Strong nuclear force is a powerful, short-range force that binds protons and neutrons tightly.
- Weak nuclear force is responsible for radioactive decay, not nuclear binding.
Thus, the strong nuclear force is responsible for holding the nucleus together, making option (C) correct.