Explain in detail the nuclear force.

Explanation

Nucleus contains protons and neutrons. From electrostatics, we learnt that like charges repel each other. In the nucleus, the protons are separated by a distance of about a few Fermi`(10^(-15)m)`, they must exert on each other a very strong repulsive force. For example, the electrostatic repulsive force between two protons separated by a distance `10^(-15)m`.
`F xx k xx(q^(2))/(r^(2)) = 9 xx 10^(9) xx(1.6 xx 10^(-19))^(2)/(10^(-15))^(2)approx 230 N`
The acceleration experienced by a proton due to the force of 230 N is
`alpha = (F)/(m) = (230N)/(1.67 xx 10^(-27) kg) approx 1.4 xx 10^(29) ms^(-2)`
This is nearly `10^(28)` times greater than the acceleration due to the gravity. So if the protons in the nucleus experience only the electrostatic force, then the nucleus would fly apart in an instant.From this observation, it was concluded that there must be a strong attractive force between protons to overcome the repulsive Coulomb.s force. This attractive force which holds the nucleus together is called strong nuclear force . Afew properties of strong nuclear force are
(i) The strong nuclear force is of very short range, acting only up to a distance of a few Fermi. But inside the nucleus,the repulsive coulomb force or attractive gravitational force between the neutons. So nuclear force is the strongest force in nature.
(ii) The strong nuclear force is attractive and acts with an equal strength between proton-proton, proton-neutron, and neutron - neutron.
(iii) Strong nuclear force does not act on the electrons. So it does not alter the chemical properties of the atom.