Question

Name the force which is responsible for the stability of the nucleus.

Answer 1

The nuclear force is the force between protons and neutrons (subatomic particles that are collectively called nucleons), which is responsible for binding protons and neutrons into the atomic nuclei. Neutrons and protons are affected by the nuclear force almost identically. Since protons have charge +1 e, they experience a Coulomb repulsion that tends to push them apart, but at short range, the nuclear force is sufficiently attractive as to overcome this repulsive force.