What role do the strong and weak forces play in atom structure?

[Jokmal]

What are the weak and strong forces?
I'm trying to understand what are the strong and weak forces and more importantly what is its role (if any) on the architecture of the atoms.

Thanks!

 

[haael]

Strong forces bind quarks into nucleons and nucleons into atom nuclei.

Weak forces cause radioactive beta decay.

Roughly: alpha decay is caused by strong forces (or lack of the strong forces), beta decay is from weak forces and gamma decay is from electromagnetism.

Strong forces are also in action when nuclear fussion/fission happens.

One thing where weak forces may have something to do is the matter/antimatter disparity.

 

[jtbell]

For some more information:

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

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

 

[mathman]

What are the weak and strong forces?
I'm trying to understand what are the strong and weak forces and more importantly what is its role (if any) on the architecture of the atoms.

Thanks!

The strong and weak forces are both nuclear forces. They do not effect the architecture of atoms (I presume you mean electron configuration), which are determined by electromagnetic force.