Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Murchie85 on 07/05/2010 23:01:29
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Hi there,
I was wondering if someone could clarify the differences between the strong and the weak force and Is it true that the strong force is analogous to the electromagnetic force at smaller distances? If so how?
Many thanks in advace
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The strong force affects specific particles called hadrons. It also acts as an attractive force (stronger than the electrostatic force) and holds the sub-atomic particles in the nucleus together, with a very short range of 0.5-3x10^-15m. Beyond that and it is too weak, closer than 0.5x10^-15 it acts as a repulsive force to stop the nucleons from collapsing into each other. The weak nuclear force affects only leptons, and I don't really know much about it, other than it changes quark type and causes decay in some particles.