Answer to Question #68695 in General Chemistry for Jonathan Israel

Question

Explain how strong/weak forces influence one constituent of an atom.

Answer 1

The nuclear force is a force that acts between the protons and neutrons of atoms. It is powerfully attractive between nucleons at distances of about 1.0 × 10 −15 m, but it rapidly decreases to insignificance at distances beyond it. Therefore, the location of electrons and their interaction with this force pre-determines composition and properties of an atom.