Question

Write down at least three properties of nuclear force.

Hint:

The nuclear force is a short-range attractive force that holds nucleons together and becomes repulsive at extremely short distances.

Answer 1

Step 1: Properties of nuclear force.
The nuclear force is the force that binds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus. The key properties of nuclear force are:
1. **Short-range force:** Nuclear force is a short-range force, which is effective only over distances of about \( 10^{-15} \, \text{m} \), i.e., the size of a nucleus.
2. **Attractive at short distances:** At short distances, nuclear force is attractive and helps bind nucleons together in the nucleus.
3. **Repulsive at very short distances:** At extremely short distances (less than \( 10^{-15} \, \text{m} \)), the nuclear force becomes repulsive, preventing nucleons from collapsing into each other.
Step 2: Conclusion.
These properties of nuclear force help in understanding the stability of atomic nuclei.