What is the primary force that holds the protons and neutrons together in the nucleus?
Correct Answer: Strong nuclear force
- Step 1: Understand that the nucleus of an atom is made up of protons and neutrons.
- Step 2: Know that protons are positively charged and repel each other due to electromagnetic forces.
- Step 3: Learn that neutrons have no charge and help to stabilize the nucleus.
- Step 4: Identify the strong nuclear force as the force that acts between protons and neutrons.
- Step 5: Realize that the strong nuclear force is much stronger than the electromagnetic force at very short distances.
- Step 6: Conclude that the strong nuclear force is what keeps protons and neutrons together in the nucleus, despite the repulsion between protons.
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