nuclear forces
Subatomic particle glue
Nuclear forces are the fundamental interactions that hold atomic nuclei together.
The strong nuclear force binds protons and neutrons within the nucleus, overcoming the electromagnetic repulsion between positively charged protons.
The weak nuclear force governs certain types of radioactive decay.
Both operate only at subatomic distances, unlike gravity or electromagnetism which act over vast scales.
Strong force mediator
Self-sustaining causal sequence
- uranium-235Fissile nuclear isotope
- plutonium-239Fissile actinide isotope
- critical massThreshold for self-sustaining reaction
- splittingDividing into parts
reactor core · radioactive decay · breeder reactor · moderator · control rods · fuel rods · meltdown · subcritical
Electrified matter state
- thermonuclearInvolving nuclear fusion heat
- tokamakPlasma confinement device
- deuteriumHydrogen isotope with neutron
- tritiumHydrogen's radioactive isotope
hydrogen · helium · magnetic confinement · inertial confinement · ignition · sun · stars · core temperature
Prevention via threatened consequences
- arms raceEscalating weapons accumulation between nations
- nonproliferationRestricting weapons dissemination
- warheadMunition's explosive section
- missileSelf-guided airborne weapon
ICBM · submarine · strategic · tactical · mutually assured destruction · first strike · treaty · disarmament
gluon
Strong force mediator
nucleon · hadron · baryon · meson · boson · lepton · particle physics
chain reaction
Self-sustaining causal sequence
- uranium-235Fissile nuclear isotope
- plutonium-239Fissile actinide isotope
- critical massThreshold for self-sustaining reaction
splitting · reactor core · radioactive decay · breeder reactor · moderator · control rods · fuel rods · meltdown · subcritical · supercritical
plasma
Electrified matter state
- thermonuclearInvolving nuclear fusion heat
- tokamakPlasma confinement device
- deuteriumHydrogen isotope with neutron
tritium · hydrogen · helium · magnetic confinement · inertial confinement · ignition · sun · stars · core temperature · fusion reactor
deterrence
Prevention via threatened consequences
- arms raceEscalating weapons accumulation between nations
- nonproliferationRestricting weapons dissemination
- warheadMunition's explosive section
missile · ICBM · submarine · strategic · tactical · mutually assured destruction · first strike · treaty · disarmament · stockpile
- atomic physicsatom, atoms, electron, atomic number, atomic mass
- nuclear scienceradiation, neutrons, atoms, fission, uranium
- militarysoldiers, army, troops, officers, navy
- lawslaws, statute, ordinance, acts, statutes
- particle collisionscollision, elastic collision, scattering, energy transfer, cross section
nuclear forcesconventional forces
Traditional armed units
conventional weapons · peacekeeping forces · conventional arms · ground troops · infantry
force, forces, nuclear, nucleus, nucleic, nucleate, nuclei, antinuclear, nucleated