Radioactive substances consist of nuclei that can't be held together by the strong force.
Delocalized valence electrons moving between nuclei become detached from their parent atom. The metal is held together by the strong forces of attraction between the delocalized electrons and positive nuclei.
Substances held together by physical forces, not chemical
An element is held together by strong atomic forces.
By force of attraction.Depending on the atoms present, the force of attraction could be in the form of ionic bond, covalent bond, coordinate bond, hydrogen bond, van der Waals forces of interaction, dipole dipole interaction etc.
the atom is held together by nuclear forces known as the electromagnetic force
intermolecular forces
They are held together by forces. For more info go to bbc bitesize
molecules
Humphry Davy
If you think to the metal iron - a metallic bonding exist.
There are 4 types of forces: gravity, electromagnetic, strong, and weak. Atoms are held together by electromagnetic forces, the nucleus is held together by the strong force. The nucleus contains neutrons and protons which are made up of quarks, which are held together by a type of strong force called a gluon.