Which of the following is correct for nuclear forces?

The correct answer is Option (2) → The nuclear force between two nucleons falls rapidly to zero as their distance is more than a few femtometres

The nuclear force that binds the nucleons is the strongest of the forces in the nucleus, it is short range and it is independent of charge.

NCERT (2026-27):
Nuclear Force – “… (i) The nuclear force is much stronger than the Coulomb force acting between charges or the gravitational forces between masses.”

Nuclear Force – “… (ii) The nuclear force between two nucleons falls rapidly to zero as their distance is more than a few femtometres.”

Nuclear Force – “… (iii) The nuclear force between neutron-neutron, proton-neutron and proton-proton is approximately the same. The nuclear force does not depend on the electric charge.”