What forces hold molecules together?

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The strong nuclear force (SNF) plays a crucial role in holding atomic nuclei together by overcoming the electrostatic repulsion between protons, which are positively charged. This force is significant only within the nucleus, as its strength diminishes rapidly with distance, becoming negligible outside the nucleus. In contrast, molecular bonds, including covalent and ionic bonds, are determined by the arrangement of outer shell electrons in atoms. These bonds are essential for the formation of molecules, highlighting the interplay between nuclear forces and electromagnetic interactions in atomic and molecular structures.
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Does the strong nuclear force and the electromagnetic force plat into it at all, as in their role in holding atoms together?
 
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The strong nuclear force is significant only in the nucleus of an atom. Its magnitude drops off exponentially with distance, and is essentially nil outside the nucleus. The SNF is responsible for holding the protons in a nucleus together against the force of their electrostatic repulsion due to having like charges.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_force

Molecular bonds, whether covalent or ionic, depend on the outer shell electron arrangement of the constituent atoms of the molecule.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covalent_bond

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionic_bonding
 

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