Answer to Question #80323 in Atomic and Nuclear Physics for Vipin Kumar

Question

Explain the meson theory of nuclear forces

Answer 1

The meson theory of nuclear forces states that nucleons forming atomic nucleus are connected by means of strong interaction having the field nature. According to quantum field theory interaction in such cases bases on exchange of particles specific for any type of field; for instance for electromagnetic field these particles are photons. Quant of the strong interaction field named p-meson, its mass is approximately 200 times bigger than electron one. Nucleons in nucleus constantly exchange p-mesons, that provides a force approximately 40 times higher Coulomb repulsion between protons and provide therefore nucleus stability.