Which of the following is the wrong statement? Coulomb's law describes the electric force that
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → binds the protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
Coulomb's law gives the force between electric charges: it follows an inverse-square law, it can be attractive or repulsive, and it is the force that holds electrons to the nucleus in an atom and atoms together in molecules. It does not act between neutrons, which carry no charge.
Option (1) has inverse-square dependence on the distance between the charges together to form molecules — A true statement. The force varies as \( 1/r^{2} \), and electric attraction holds atoms together in molecules.
Option (2) can be repulsive or attractive — A true statement. Like charges repel and unlike charges attract.
Option (3) binds the electrons of an atom to its nucleus. — A true statement. The positive nucleus attracts the negative electrons.
Option (4) binds the protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. — The wrong statement. The nucleons are held together by the nuclear (strong) force; the Coulomb force between protons is repulsive.
NCERT (2026-27):
Points to Ponder – “1. You might wonder why the protons, all carrying positive charges, are compactly residing inside the nucleus. Why do they not fly away? You will learn that there is a third kind of a fundamental force, called the strong force which holds them together.”