In what part of the atom does the strong nuclear force operate?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The strong nuclear force operates within the nucleus of the atom, binding protons and neutrons together to form the nucleus and overcoming the repulsive forces between protons due to their positive charges.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the components of an atom

An atom consists of a nucleus at its center, surrounded by a cloud of electrons. The nucleus contains protons (positively charged particles) and neutrons (neutral particles with no charge). Electrons (negatively charged particles) orbit around the nucleus in different energy levels.
02

Understand the forces acting within an atom

There are four fundamental forces acting within an atom: gravitational force, electromagnetic force, strong nuclear force, and weak nuclear force. The gravitational force acts between all masses, but it is very weak and negligible in atoms. The electromagnetic force involves the interaction between charged particles (e.g., the attraction between positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons). The strong nuclear force plays a crucial role in holding the protons and neutrons together in the nucleus, while the weak nuclear force is involved in the process of radioactive decay.
03

Identify the areas where the strong nuclear force operates

The strong nuclear force operates within the nucleus of the atom. This force is responsible for binding protons and neutrons together to form the nucleus. It also overcomes the repulsive forces between protons due to their positive charges. Despite its strength, the strong nuclear force has a limited range and only acts between nearby nucleons (protons and neutrons), which is why it doesn't influence the behavior of electrons surrounding the nucleus. So, the answer to the given question is that the strong nuclear force operates within the nucleus of the atom.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Write the correct symbol, with both superscript and subscript, for each of the following. Use the list of elements in the front inside cover as needed: (a) the isotope of platinum that contains 118 neutrons, \((\mathbf{b})\) the isotope of krypton with mass number \(84,(\mathbf{c})\) the isotope of arsenic with mass number \(75,(\mathbf{d})\) the isotope of magnesium that has an equal number of protons and neutrons.

How many protons, neutrons, and electrons are in the following atoms? (a) \(^{40} \mathrm{Ar},(\mathbf{b})^{65} \mathrm{Zn},(\mathbf{c})^{70} \mathrm{Ga},(\mathbf{d})^{80} \mathrm{Br},(\mathbf{e})^{184} \mathrm{W}\) \((\mathbf{f})^{243} \mathrm{Am} .\)

Name the following ionic compounds: (a) \(\mathrm{Li}_{2} \mathrm{O},(\mathbf{b})\) FeCl_ \((\mathbf{c}) \mathrm{NaClO},(\mathbf{d}) \quad \mathrm{CaSO}_{3}\)(e) \(\mathrm{Cu}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}, \quad(\mathbf{f}) \mathrm{Fe}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{2}$$(\mathbf{g}) \mathrm{Ca}\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{COO}\right)_{2},(\mathbf{h}) \mathrm{Cr}_{2}\left(\mathrm{CO}_{3}\right)_{3}\)(i) \(\mathrm{K}_{2} \mathrm{CrO}_{4},(\mathbf{j})\left(\mathrm{NH}_{4}\right)_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}\)

In a series of experiments, a chemist prepared three different compounds that contain only iodine and fluorine and determined the mass of each element in each compound:(a) Calculate the mass of fluorine per gram of iodine in each compound. (b) How do the numbers in part (a) support the atomic theory?

Two substances have the same molecular and empirical formulas. Does this mean that they must be the same compound?

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