Select the correct statement for nuclear force:

The correct answer is Option (1) → strong, short range and charge independent

The nuclear force binds protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Its main features decide each option.

Option (1) strong, short range and charge independent — Correct. It is much stronger than the Coulomb force, acts only over a few femtometres and is the same between p-p, n-n and p-n pairs.

Option (2) attractive, long range and charge independent — Incorrect. The force falls rapidly to zero beyond a few femtometres, so it is short range.

Option (3) strong, attractive and charge dependent — Incorrect. The force does not depend on electric charge.

Option (4) strong, short range and repulsive — Incorrect. The force is attractive for separations larger than about 0.8 fm and becomes repulsive only at smaller separations, so it cannot be called simply repulsive.

NCERT (2026-27):
Summary – “… Neutrons and protons are bound in a nucleus by the short-range strong nuclear force. The nuclear force does not distinguish between neutron and proton.”