The strong force, also known as the strong nuclear force, is not infinite like electromagnetism. It has a limited range, only acting on particles within the nucleus of an atom. This range is typically less than 10^-15 meters, making it much shorter than the range of electromagnetism.
The strong force is responsible for binding together protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom, while the weak force is responsible for radioactive decay and other nuclear processes. The strong force is much stronger than the weak force, but it has a much shorter range. Additionally, the strong force only acts on particles with a certain property called "color charge," while the weak force acts on all particles.
Due to its short range and specific action on particles within the nucleus, the strong force cannot be harnessed or used in technology like electromagnetism can. However, understanding the strong force is crucial for many technological advancements, such as nuclear power.
No, the strong force is not responsible for all nuclear reactions. While it is responsible for binding together protons and neutrons, other nuclear reactions, such as fission and fusion, involve different forces and processes.
The strength of the strong force is measured by the strong coupling constant, also known as alpha_s. This constant is a measure of the strength of the force between two quarks. It is a dimensionless quantity, meaning it has no units, and its value is approximately 0.118 at low energies.