What holds the nucleus together?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mechanisms that hold the atomic nucleus together, focusing on the strong nuclear force and its interactions at the subatomic level. Participants explore theoretical aspects, experimental evidence, and the nature of fundamental forces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the residual strong force is responsible for holding the nucleus together.
  • Others explain that the strong nuclear force acts between quarks within protons and neutrons, overcoming the electromagnetic repulsion between protons.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of gluons and their role in mediating the strong force, with references to the gluon field.
  • Participants question the detection of gluons, with some asserting that billions of interactions involving gluons have been observed in particle accelerators.
  • Concerns are raised about the nature of evidence for gluons, with a participant expressing confusion about how the strong force operates.
  • There is a comparison made between the creation of the strong force and the electromagnetic force generated by charged particles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing levels of understanding and acceptance regarding the existence and detection of gluons, as well as the nature of the strong force. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple viewpoints presented.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about gluon detection rely on interpretations of experimental data from particle accelerators, which may depend on specific definitions and assumptions about particle interactions.

Ezekiel.
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What holds the nucleus together?
 
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The residual strong force.

- Warren
 
The strong nuclear force, one of the fundamental forces in the universe according to the standard model. In occurs between the quarks which make up the neutrons and protons in the nucleus, and also binds these together. At extremely small distances, it is repulsive, but at the distances in the nucleus it is generally attractive, and acts to overcome the electromagnetic force between the protons. It comes about when the quarks exchange particles called gluons with each other, thus there is a gluon 'field' between the quarks.
 
Sorry, you got there first chroot.
 
speeding electron said:
The strong nuclear force, one of the fundamental forces in the universe according to the standard model. In occurs between the quarks which make up the neutrons and protons in the nucleus, and also binds these together. At extremely small distances, it is repulsive, but at the distances in the nucleus it is generally attractive, and acts to overcome the electromagnetic force between the protons. It comes about when the quarks exchange particles called gluons with each other, thus there is a gluon 'field' between the quarks.
have they ever detected a gluon?
 
Ezekiel. said:
have they ever detected a gluon?
Billions of times.

- Warren
 
what do you mean? in what way
 
Billions of particle interactions involving gluons have been observed in dozens of different particle accelerators.

- Warren
 
but how have they proved that gluons exist
 
  • #10
Particles with a particular set of properties have appeared billions of times in particle accelerator experiments. The name given to particles with those properties is "gluon." What kind of proof do you expect there to be?

- Warren
 
  • #11
i just don't get how they would creat a strong force. it seams like magic
 
  • #12
How do electrons "create" the electromagnetic force? Are you comfortable with electrically charged particles?

- Warren
 

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