The strong interaction outside nucleons - what mediates it?

[Asgrrr]

The strong interaction outside nucleons - what mediates it?

Is it gluons?
Is it mesons?
Is it gluons within mesons?

Thank you.

 

[mfb]

Depends on your favorite way to interpret it. Mesons will give the easiest description.

 

[Asgrrr]

Depends on your favorite way to interpret it. Mesons will give the easiest description.

What is that description then?

 

[mfb]

An exchange of mesons - mainly the pions, with some contribution from heavier mesons.

 

[Asgrrr]

An exchange of mesons - mainly the pions, with some contribution from heavier mesons.

Thank you, that clears things up nicely.