Which of the following statements are correct?

(A) The electrostatic repulsive force between the protons can be greater than the nuclear force to bind the nucleons together inside a nucleus.
(B)The repulsive electrostatic force between protons in smaller nuclei is much smaller than the nuclear force between nucleons inside a nucleus.
(C) The gravitational force between nucleons is much smaller than the nuclear force between the nucleons inside a nucleus.
(D) The binding energy per nucleon between nucleons is almost constant because the nuclear force is a long range force.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(B) and (C) only

The correct answer is Option (2) → (B) and (C) only

Explanation:

(A) ✖ False — The nuclear force is much stronger than the electrostatic repulsion between protons; otherwise, nuclei could not exist.

(B) ✔ True — In smaller nuclei, the electrostatic repulsion between protons is much weaker than the strong nuclear attraction holding nucleons together.

(C) ✔ True — The gravitational force between nucleons is negligible compared to the nuclear force.

(D) ✖ False — The nuclear force is short-ranged, not long-ranged. The constancy of binding energy per nucleon is due to saturation of nuclear forces, not their range.