Weak and strong nuclear forces

The strong nuclear force holds protons and neutrons together in an atom's nucleus, overcoming their repulsive electric charge. This force is incredibly powerful but operates at very short distances. The weak nuclear force is responsible for certain types of radioactive decay and interactions involving subatomic particles. In contexts like ionization and excitation, these forces help manage how electrons behave around the nucleus. When energy is added, electrons can be excited to higher energy levels (excitation), or if enough energy is provided, they may leave the atom altogether (ionization). Together, these forces play a crucial role in atomic stability and transformations.