Nuclear Force Definition and Applications

Nuclear force is a strong attractive force that binds protons and neutrons together within an atomic nucleus. This force is much stronger than any other fundamental force. As compared to electromagnetic force, it is 100 times stronger, which allows nuclear force to overcome electrostatic repulsion between positively charged protons. CBSE board students must be well aware about this force to answer questions related to this topic in the board exam.

Nuclear force works on very short distances in order of femtometers. Beyond this distance, the nuclear force starts fading to negligible levels. It is one of the key characteristics that differentiate nuclear force from gravity and electromagnetism, which have infinite range.

IIT JAM exam and NEET exam students must be aware of how nuclear force works. As per the quantum field theory, nuclear force is generated by the exchange of particles called mesons. Pions (π-mesons) are the most important mesons as predicted by Hideko Yukawa in 1935. The exchange of virtual particles between nucleons gives rise to the nuclear force. 

The strong nuclear force is created due to the exchange of a meson (pion) between two nucleons. This can affect an incoming radiation particle as long as this particle can reach within field range around the nucleus. Neutron has the greatest ability to reach nucleus within range of the field since a neutron is a neutron particle and it is not affected by electromagnetic force created by protons.

The nuclear force has many unique properties that differentiate it from other fundamental forces in nature. Knowing these properties is important for students of the JEE Main exam and the CUET exam. Let us take a look at these:

• Nuclear force operates over extremely short distances, mainly on the order of femtometers. This is roughly the size of an atomic nucleus.
• Beyond a distance in femtometers, the nuclear force starts decreasing to negligible levels.
• Nuclear force is 100 times stronger than electromagnetic force, due to which it can overcome the electrostatic repulsion between positively charged protons within the nucleus.
• At distances of nuclear separations, the nuclear force is attractive, which allows it to pull nucleons together. 
• The nuclear force is independent of the electric charge of nucleons.  
• Nuclear force depends on the spin of nucleons. The interaction between nucleons can differ depending on whether their spins are aligned or anti-aligned.

The nuclear force has many applications in natural processes and technological advancements. Let us take a look at all of them:

• Nuclear force is fundamental for nuclear fission process, where heavy atomic nuclei like Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239 split into smaller nuclei. There is a huge amount of energy released in the process, which is harnessed in nuclear power plants for generating electricity.
• Techniques such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) depend on properties of radioactive isotopes that are influenced by nuclear force for creating detailed images of internal structures and functions of body.
• Nuclear force is the principle behind immense energy which is released from nuclear weapons. Both fission-based and fusion-based bombs depend on the binding energy of atomic nuclei governed by nuclear force. 
• This force is important for the processes that occur in stars in which lighter elements are fused into heavier ones, which leads to release of energy. These contribute to the formation of elements in the universe, 
• Radioactive isotopes that are influenced by nuclear force are used as tracers for studying processes in industry and agriculture.

Let us take a look at some important FAQs from Nuclear force topic: