Nuclear Forces
Slide 3 of 18
The nucleus of an atom has four different forces acting on the particles. ( Gravity, Etectromagnetic, Strong and Weak). Some of these forces are trying to tear the nucleus apart while others are holding it together. In stable atoms these forces are balanced.
Any change in the number, configuration or energy of these particles can upset this balance and cause the atom to become unstable or radioactive. Atoms will not remain unstable indefinetely. Eventually the nucleus will rearrange itself to achieve a more stable condition, effecting particles and/or energy in the process. This process is called Radioactivity.
