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Q:
How are nuclear forces acting in between the protons inside the nucleus ?
- Hari RAM (age 16)
SHNV SCHOOL, Sivakasi/TN/India
A:
Good question. The protons and neutrons in the nucleus are held
together by the strong nuclear force, which only acts over short
distances and between nuclear particles. We think that all forces are
due to the exchange of particles. The protons and neutrons exchange
particles called pions, which bind them together. But there's more than
meets the eye. The protons, neutrons, and pions are made of smaller
particles called quarks, which interact with each other through
particles called "gluons." So, what's really going on is that you have
groups of quarks interacting with each other and with other groups of
quarks by way of the gluons.Have a look at
http://www.fnal.gov/ for a nice exposition.
(published on 10/22/2007)
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