What is the difference between the strong nuclear force and gravity?

Answer 1

The strong interaction (strong force) is the force that holds atomic nuclei together. Remember that atomic nuclei are composed of protons and neutrons. And protons, being positively charged and acting to repel each other, require lots of energy to cause them to stick together. The strong force does this, and we sometimes refer to it as (nuclear) binding energy or nuclear glue .

The weak interaction (weak force) is a mediator of nuclear decay, and is responsible for beta decay of radionuclides.

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A strong nuclear force occurs when a neutron and a proton interact.

Answer 2

There are several major differences between the strong nuclear force (SNF) and gravity.

Range of interaction:

Gravity's interaction range is infinite, the SNF's range is about 10-15 m.

Strength:

Within the SNF's range, it is about 1038 times stronger than gravity.

Strength as a function of distance:

Gravity's strength is proportional to 1/distance2, whereas the SNF's strength increases up to a certain distance, and then remains constant.

Types of interacting particles:

Both hadrons and leptons interact via gravity, while only hadrons interact via the SNF.

There are more differences than these, but they involve gauge theory, which is beyond the scope of this answer.

Answer 3

The strong nuclear force acts between quarks at distances similar to the radius of an atomic nucleus. The electric force acts between charged particles, and its range is infinite (you can see distant stars). Also, the strong nuclear force is much stronger.

Answer 4

Both forces are only measurable at the sub-atomic scale, but apart from this they are very different. They both act on different kinds of sub-atomic particles, and at different strengths, with very different results.

Answer 5

The word "nuclear".

Also, both of them are very short-range forces.

Answer 6

It can be compared but not by much. They both act on much different scales and at different strengths. Also the weak nuclear force is a reasonably known process but gravity is not.

Answer 7

Yes.

The strengths of the 4 forces rank as follows:

1. Strong, strongest
2. Weak
3. Electromagnetic
4. Gravity, weakest