Question

Write any two features of nuclear forces.

Hint:

In nuclear reactions, nucleon number is conserved but mass is not separately conserved. The change in mass is related to the energy released or absorbed through \[ E=\Delta mc^2. \]

Answer 1

Features of Nuclear Forces Concept: Nuclear forces are the forces that act between nucleons (protons and neutrons) inside the nucleus and are responsible for holding the nucleus together despite the strong electrostatic repulsion between positively charged protons. These forces are fundamentally different from gravitational and electrostatic forces and possess certain unique characteristics. Feature 1: Nuclear forces are extremely strong forces. The nuclear force is the strongest known force acting over nuclear dimensions. Inside the nucleus, protons repel each other due to Coulomb repulsion. In spite of this repulsion, nuclei remain stable because the attractive nuclear force is much stronger than the electrostatic repulsive force at short distances. Thus, nuclear forces are capable of binding nucleons into a compact and stable nucleus. Feature 2: Nuclear forces are short-range forces. Nuclear forces act effectively only over distances of the order of \[ 10^{-15}\,\text{m} \] (about a few femtometres). Beyond this range, the nuclear force becomes negligibly small. This explains why nucleons interact strongly only with their nearest neighbours inside the nucleus. Any other valid features are:
• Nuclear forces are charge independent.
• Nuclear forces exhibit saturation property.
• Nuclear forces are attractive in nature at normal nuclear distances.
• Nuclear forces are independent of electronic configuration.