1

I’ve recently read that the strong interaction, that holds the quarks together to form protons and neutrons, also creates a residual force called the nuclear force, which holds the neutrons and protons together. Why and how is the nuclear force a consequence of the strong interaction?

Qmechanic
  • 201,751
Melvin
  • 959
  • 1
    The answer is the Yukawa meson theory of nuclear force. It involves the exchange of pions between the nucleons, which binds them together. –  Jun 12 '19 at 23:06
  • 2
    A residual force is a more general concept. For example, the force that binds electrically neutral atoms together to form molecules is also a residual force. There's no big mystery about it. The force is zero to first order, but it exists in higher orders of approximation. –  Jun 13 '19 at 01:40
  • Possible duplicates/worth checking: https://physics.stackexchange.com/q/685687/226902 https://physics.stackexchange.com/q/471075/226902 https://physics.stackexchange.com/q/513047/226902 https://physics.stackexchange.com/q/693669/226902 – Quillo Sep 17 '23 at 14:02

1 Answers1

0

The nuclear force arises from the strong interaction and virtual gluon exchanges and color fluctuations within the quarks of the nuclei creat pions that are exchanged between nucleons

Nickgamer491
  • 1
  • 2
    The beginning of your statement is essentially the definition of the strong force. Could you go more in depth about the creation and exchange of pions? –  Jun 13 '19 at 01:48