Forces Holding the atom together All pictures from The Elegant Universe by NOVA
Electromagnetic force The attraction &/or repulsion between magnetic objects or electric charges. Acts over large & small distances Stronger when distances are shorter & charges are larger A strong force Responsible for keeping the electrons wandering around the nucleus. The negative electron is attracted to the positive proton.
Strong Nuclear Force Attractive force between quarks & objects that contain quarks (protons & neutrons) Acts over extremely small distances The strongest force in the world The force that keeps the nucleus together. The net attractive force between the protons and neutrons greatly overcomes the repulsive force among the positive protons.