Why is a nuclear strong force needed to hold the nucleus of an atom together?

Answer 1

The strong nuclear force, also called binding energy, holds quarks together to form protons and neutrons. Residual binding energy, also called the nuclear force, holds protons and neutrons together to form the nucleus of an atom.

This holds true up to about atomic number 83 (bismuth), at which point the electromagnetic force, a repulsive force for protons, starts to overcome the distance barrier of binding energy and make the nucleus unstable. This makes the atoms starting at bismuth and above be radioactive.

Additionally, the presence or absence of extra neutrons, i.e. isotopes, even in light nuclides, can, due to the weak interaction, makes the nucleus be unstable, and radioactive.

Answer 2

Without the strong nuclear force being present, the electrostatic repulsive force between the positively charged protons would lead to the nucleus disintegrating, as gravity alone between the particles is not strong enough to hold it together. The nucelar strong force is far stronger than the electrostatic repulsion in smaller nuclei.

As the size of the nucleus increases, the electrostatic repulsion becomes greater than the strong nuclear force, as the SNF weakens. This leads to radioactive decay in atoms.

Answer 3

The strong nuclear force, also called binding energy, holds quarks together to form protons and neutrons. Residual binding energy, also called the nuclear force, holds protons and neutrons together to form the nucleus of an atom.

This holds true up to about atomic number 83 (bismuth), at which point the electromagnetic force, a repulsive force for protons, starts to overcome the distance barrier of binding energy and make the nucleus unstable. This makes the atoms starting at bismuth and above be radioactive.

Additionally, the presence or absence of extra neutrons, i.e. isotopes, even in light nuclides, can, due to the weak interaction, makes the nucleus be unstable, and radioactive.

Answer 4

The strong nuclear force is what holds the atoms together, so that we don't just have a bunch of quarks and other sub-atomic particles bouncing around.