Collision of Particles: What Force Causes Repulsion?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the forces responsible for particle repulsion during collisions, specifically focusing on intermolecular forces in macroscopic bodies and the interactions between neutrons. It is established that intermolecular forces, as described in the Feynman Lectures, exhibit vigorous repulsion beyond a certain distance and an attractive nature that varies inversely with the seventh power of distance. The conversation also touches on the role of quarks within neutrons and their electric charge as a potential factor in neutron collisions. Additionally, questions arise regarding the definition of a particle's "size" and its relation to the surrounding field strength.

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  • Understanding of intermolecular forces
  • Familiarity with the Feynman Lectures on physics
  • Basic knowledge of particle physics, specifically neutrons and quarks
  • Concept of force fields in physics
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  • Study the role of quarks in particle interactions
  • Explore the concept of particle size and its definitions in quantum physics
  • Learn about the forces involved in neutron collisions and their implications
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quasar987
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I'm reading this chapter on collision of particles and it's bugging me that they do not explain the nature of the force responsible for the repulsion betweeen the two particle when they meet. I thought about it and figured that in the case of collision of macroscopic bodies, it was the intermolecular force that is responsible for the repulsion. I read about this force in the Feyman lectures; it is vigorously repulsive past a certain distance but attractive and varying inversely with the 7th power (!) of the distance at large distances.

But what about the force responsible for collision between neutrons? What force makes them bounce off each other?
 
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I'm not sure about this, but the fact that neutrons are made up quarks (which are electrically charged) could explain this. In a related note, how is the "size" of a particle defined? Is it related to the strength of the field around it, or is there something else that defines it?
 

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