How Can Atoms Be Split Despite the Strong Force's Attraction?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mechanisms by which atoms can be split, particularly in the context of the strong nuclear force and electromagnetic forces. Participants explore theoretical aspects of atomic structure and the forces at play, including the conditions under which splitting occurs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how atoms can be split if the strong force is responsible for attraction within the nucleus, suggesting a potential misunderstanding of the forces involved.
  • Another participant asserts that electrical repulsion plays a role in keeping protons apart, implying a balance of forces is necessary for atomic stability.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that the strong force decays more quickly than the electromagnetic force, proposing that at certain distances, the electromagnetic force becomes dominant over the strong force.
  • One participant references a graph comparing the strong force and electromagnetic force, indicating an interest in visual representations of these interactions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interplay between the strong force and electromagnetic forces, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

There are assumptions about the nature of forces and their interactions that are not fully explored, and the discussion does not clarify the specific conditions under which these forces operate.

madhatter106
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If the strong force is what is used to describe the attraction in the atomic nucleus, how is it possible to split atoms without them constantly re-pairing? a free charge doesn't seem like it would exist due to the strong force. I'm missing something right?
 
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The electrical repulsion keeps them apart.
 
The strong force "decays" more quickly than the EM force. So, at a certain distance, the EM force will be greater than the strong force, no?
 
seen strong force vs em force graph...
 

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