LESSONS FROM THE HUMBLE ATOM

We are all familiar with the ATOM...right?

Q. So what are the parts of an atom?

A. Classically there is a NUCLEUS composed of PROTONS and NEUTRONS and circumnavigating the nucleus in very precise well defined orbits are ELECTRONS.

Q. What is the nature of the neutron?

A. It has a large mass (1 atomic unit) and no electrical charge.

Q. What is the nature of the proton?

A. It also has a very large mass (again, 1 atomic unit) and a PLUS charge.

Q. What is the nature of the electron.

A. It has a very small mass (near zero) and a NEGATIVE charge.



Consider an ATOM with one NEUTRON, one PROTON and one ELECTRON. This is a HYDROGEN Atom.

Now if you go into a science class and ask what holds the electron in orbit around the nucleus, you will be told (since there is virtually no mass to the electron...it can't be attributed to gravity) it's the electromagnetic forces of attraction between the opposites (plus for the PROTON and minus for the ELECTRON).

Note: For example, the electrostatic force between an electron and a proton, which constitute a hydrogen atom, is almost 40 orders of magnitude greater than the gravitational force between them.

They will then go on to clinch this in your mind using the familiar example of two magnets where the North - South poles attract each other. And you will nod your head in agreement, because you've played with magnets and have observed this phenomena--opposites poles/charges attracting each other.


Now consider another atom where we add another PROTON in the nucleus and another ELECTRON in the valence ring around the nucleus.

Again we ask the question, what holds the 2 electrons in orbit around the nucleus?
And the answer will come back, the 2 protons in the nucleus--2 plus charges of the proton attract the two negative charges of the electron.

OK...

But now consider, if opposites attract, don't you also remember with your experience with magnets that "likes" repel? The two North poles of magnets will repel each other,right?

So looking at this second atom with the TWO PROTONS in the nucleus, both charged positively...

Q. Why do the Protons in the Nucleus not push each other apart?
Q. What is holding them together in the nucleus that is more powerful than their forces of repulsion? (I mean, if you are going to be consistent, you have to ask this question as well, right?).
Furthermore, the power (or force) that is holding these Protons together in the Nucleus is so strong that when we break it apart ... we get an Atomic Bomb.
Q. So again I ask, what is this incredible power that is holding these Protons in such close proximity to each other that it overcomes this huge force of repulsion? What is this "nuclear glue"?