strong force
noun Physics.
Also called nuclear force. the short-range attractive force between baryons that holds together the nucleus of the atom.
Also called color force. the force between quarks.
Nearby words
Compare gluon, strong interaction.
Origin of strong force
First recorded in 1965–70
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Science definitions for color force (1 of 2)
color force
See strong force.
Science definitions for color force (2 of 2)
strong force
[ strông ]
The fundamental force that mediates interactions between particles with color charge, such as quarks and gluons. The strong force binds quarks together to form baryons such as protons and neutrons, maintains the binding of protons and neutrons together in atomic nuclei, and is responsible for many particle decay processes. Particles that interact through the strong force exchange gluons, much as particles involved in electromagnetic interactions exchange photons. Quark color, but not flavor, is changed by the exchange of gluons. The strong force is stronger than the weak force, the electromagnetic force, and gravity, but has been known to apply only across distances the size of atomic nuclei or smaller. Also called color force strong interaction, strong nuclear force
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Culture definitions for color force
strong force
In physics, the force that holds particles together in the atomic nucleus and the force that holds quarks together in elementary particles.
Note
As the name implies, this is the strongest force known in nature.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.