describe the force that holds the nucleus together. explain why neutrons are the "glue" of the nucleus?
1 answer
The strong nuclear force holds the nucleus together. Neutrons increase the effectiveness of the strong nuclear force in winning over the tendency of the electromagnetic repulsions of blowing the nucleus apart. A more detailed explanation would include quarks, neutrinos, the weak nuclear force, the importance of the proton to neutron ratio, and quantum mechanics.