nuclear force
Holds nuclei together
Nuclear force is the powerful interaction that holds atomic nuclei together, binding protons and neutrons despite the electrical repulsion between positively charged protons.
Also called the strong force or strong nuclear force.
A separate weak nuclear force governs radioactive decay.
These forces operate only at extremely short ranges within the atom.
Strong force mediator
- quarkFundamental matter particle
- hadronQuark-containing subatomic particle
- baryonThree-quark composite particle
- mesonQuark-antiquark bound state
nucleon · proton · neutron · pion · confinement
Positive nuclear particle
- neutronUncharged nuclear particle
- isotopeElemental variant by mass
- radioactiveEmitting nuclear decay particles
- decayGradual organic breakdown
alpha particle · gamma ray · electron · atomic number · mass number · nuclide · magic numbers
Radioactive nucleon transformation process
- neutrinoUncharged, near-massless particle
- W bosonCharged weak force carrier
- radioactive decayUnstable atoms releasing energy
- leptonFundamental particle without strong interactions
Element ninety-two
- plutoniumActinide, atomic number 94
- chain reactionSelf-sustaining causal sequence
- critical massThreshold for self-sustaining reaction
- reactorControlled fission apparatus
fuel rod · control rod · moderator · coolant · meltdown · spent fuel · enrichment · centrifuge
Electrified matter state
- thermonuclearInvolving nuclear fusion heat
- deuteriumHydrogen isotope with neutron
- tritiumHydrogen's radioactive isotope
- heliumLightest noble gas
hydrogen · sun · stars · ignition · tokamak · magnetic confinement · inertial confinement · fusion reactor
Munition's explosive section
- ICBMOcean-spanning nuclear delivery system
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
- arsenalStockpile of munitions
strategic · tactical · missile · ballistic · triad · atomic bomb · hydrogen bomb · mushroom cloud
gluon
Strong force mediator
proton
Positive nuclear particle
- neutronUncharged nuclear particle
- isotopeElemental variant by mass
- radioactiveEmitting nuclear decay particles
decay · alpha particle · gamma ray · electron · atomic number · mass number · nuclide · magic numbers
beta decay
Radioactive nucleon transformation process
- neutrinoUncharged, near-massless particle
- W bosonCharged weak force carrier
- radioactive decayUnstable atoms releasing energy
uranium
Element ninety-two
- plutoniumActinide, atomic number 94
- chain reactionSelf-sustaining causal sequence
- critical massThreshold for self-sustaining reaction
reactor · fuel rod · control rod · moderator · coolant · meltdown · spent fuel · enrichment · centrifuge · breeder reactor
plasma
Electrified matter state
- thermonuclearInvolving nuclear fusion heat
- deuteriumHydrogen isotope with neutron
- tritiumHydrogen's radioactive isotope
helium · hydrogen · sun · stars · ignition · tokamak · magnetic confinement · inertial confinement · fusion reactor · energy release
warhead
Munition's explosive section
- ICBMOcean-spanning nuclear delivery system
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
arsenal · strategic · tactical · missile · ballistic · triad · atomic bomb · hydrogen bomb · mushroom cloud · fallout
- forcesgravity, electromagnetism, thrust, drag, friction
- Nuclearatomic bomb, atomic bombs, uranium, reactors, fission
- nuclear scienceradiation, neutrons, atoms, fission, uranium
- Fundamental Physicsgravity, electromagnetism, fundamental forces, photon, gluon
- nuclear physicsfission, neutron, proton, reactor, atomic number
- defensedefense, defending, protecting, protection, security
nuclear forceelectromagnetic force
Charge-mediated fundamental interaction
electromagnetism · gravity · gravitational force · weak force
nuclear forceconventional weapons
Non-WMD military equipment
conventional warfare · ground forces · infantry · soft power
force, nuclear, fortify, nucleus, forte, nuclear bomb, nuclei, nuclear reactor, nuclear fission