High School Is the Force Between Two Protons Weaker Than Between Two Neutrons in Nucleons?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the comparison of forces between two protons and two neutrons within nucleons, specifically addressing the strong nuclear force and electromagnetic interactions. It is established that the strong interaction does not consider electric charges, meaning that the repulsive electromagnetic force between two protons does not affect the strong force acting on them. Consequently, while there is no bound state for two protons or two neutrons, the energy required to separate them is influenced by the strong force, which is consistent across nucleons. The alpha particle, consisting of two protons and two neutrons, is noted as a valid bound state, highlighting the complexity of these interactions.

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Krushnaraj Pandya
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My question is whether the force between two protons is slightly less than the force between two neutrons as you'd expect from the electrostatic repulsion or does the strong nuclear force somehow treat all nucleons such that they have the same force acting between them? I'd really appreciate some help, thank you
 
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Of course the electrostatic forces are much weaker- I'm just interested in knowing if there indeed is a slight difference as one might think
 
The strong interaction doesn't care about electric charges. You have two independent interactions, and for two protons the electromagnetic interaction is repulsive.
 
This is a very interesting question. Does this mean that the amount of force required to separate two neutrons is the same as that required to separate two protons? Or can the protons be separated with slightly less force, like, the the amount required for neutrons minus something for the strength of the magnetic repulsion between the two protons?
 
LURCH said:
This is a very interesting question. Does this mean that the amount of force required to separate two neutrons is the same as that required to separate two protons? Or can the protons be separated with slightly less force, like, the the amount required for neutrons minus something for the strength of the magnetic repulsion between the two protons?
Exactly what I want to know :D
 
mfb said:
The strong interaction doesn't care about electric charges. You have two independent interactions, and for two protons the electromagnetic interaction is repulsive.
which would imply what @LURCH said, correct?
 
There is no bound state for two protons or two neutrons and "distance" becomes a problematic concept as well.
 
mfb said:
There is no bound state for two protons or two neutrons and "distance" becomes a problematic concept as well.
So its very hard to say. Alright, I can take that as the best answer which can possibly be given- Thank you very much :D
 
mfb said:
There is no bound state for two protons or two neutrons and "distance" becomes a problematic concept as well.

Does an alpha particle not count as a bound state?

Cheers
 
  • #10
cosmik debris said:
Does an alpha particle not count as a bound state?

Cheers
Alpha particle is 2 neutrons+2 protons. I think he means there are no two separate nuclei which have only 2 protons or two neutrons
 
  • #11
The strong force works between proton in the nucleus. The energy to keep them together came from Δm of mass of nucleus and Total mass of proton and neutron, the Δm was converted to energy by the equation E = Δm.c² to keep proton in the nucleus stay together
 
  • #12
Krushnaraj Pandya said:
Alpha particle is 2 neutrons+2 protons. I think he means there are no two separate nuclei which have only 2 protons or two neutrons
Right. If there would be bound states "2 protons" and "2 neutrons" (separately) then the former could be bound weaker.
 

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