rayveldkamp said:In the Residual Strong Interaction, energy and momentum are exchanged not through gluons but through exchange of quarks, for example in the soft hadronic scattering of a pi + and proton. Is the interaction mediated by a single meson or by two quarks, and if the latter doesn't this violate quark confinement?
Ray
The residual strong interaction, also known as the strong nuclear force, is one of the four fundamental forces of nature. It is responsible for holding together the nucleus of an atom, and is the strongest of all the fundamental forces.
The residual strong interaction works by exchanging particles called gluons between quarks, which are the building blocks of protons and neutrons. This exchange of gluons creates a force that binds the quarks together, forming the nucleus of an atom.
The range of the residual strong interaction is extremely short, only about 10^-15 meters. This is because the force of the interaction decreases rapidly with distance, making it only effective within the nucleus of an atom.
The residual strong interaction is significantly stronger than the other fundamental forces, such as the electromagnetic force and the weak nuclear force. It also has a much shorter range, and only acts on particles that have a property called color charge, such as quarks.
The residual strong interaction is essential for the stability of matter, as it holds together the protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. It is also responsible for the energy released in nuclear reactions, such as nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons. Additionally, scientists are studying ways to harness the power of the strong force to create new forms of energy, such as fusion power.