Question

For two nucleons 2 fm apart, the strong force is ________. A) strongest for two interacting neutrons. B) strongest for a proton interacting with a neutron. C) strongest for two interacting protons. D) equally strong for any combination of protons and neutrons.

Expert A

Answer 1

The strong nuclear force is equally strong for any combination of protons and neutrons at short ranges like 2 fm apart, despite the electrical repulsion between protons due to their positive charge.

Step-by-step explanation:

The strong force, also known as the strong nuclear force, is the force responsible for binding protons and neutrons (together known as nucleons) in an atomic nucleus. This force is one of the four fundamental forces in nature, with the others being the electromagnetic force, the gravitational force, and the weak nuclear force. For two nucleons that are 2 femtometers (fm) apart, the strong force is equally strong for any combination of protons and neutrons due to its charger-independent characteristic.

It's important to note that while the strong force is equally attractive regardless of the combination of nucleons, the electromagnetic force causes protons to repel each other. This repulsion is not a factor when considering the strength of the strong force between two neutrons or a proton and a neutron. As such, for two nucleons at a short range such as 2 fm, the strong nuclear force would be equally strong for any combination, making option D the correct answer.