Question

What are the properties of nuclear forces?

Answer 1

The nuclear forces make stable atomic nuclei,

Explanation:

Atomic nuclei have to be in a balance. The electromagnetic force causes all protons in a nucleus to repel each other. This is balanced by the residual strong nuclear force which binds adjacent protons and neutrons. The strong nuclear force is very short ranged.

Only certain combinations of protons and neutrons can create a stable nucleus. If the nucleus is unstable, the weak nuclear force can convert a proton into a neutron, a positron and an electron neutrino. It can also convert a neutron into a proton, an electron and an electron anti-neutrino. The weak nuclear force can take a long time to operate. This is why some radioactive elements have such long half lives.