The strong nuclear force

The strong nuclear force is the force that holds stable isotope’s nuclei together, and it balances with the electrostatic force of repulsion between the nucleus’ protons.

Effect

• Its effect is the same regardless what kind of particle it is between.
• Its range is below $3 fm$ to $4 fm$, and is similar to the diameter of a small nucleus.
• It attracts between the distances $0.5 fm$ and $3.4 fm$.
• Below $0.5 fm$ it is repulsive.

Radiactive decay

The following types of radiation can be released by radioactive isotopes:

• Alpha radiation ($\alpha$) consists of helium nuclei, which have a relative mass of 4 and a charge of 2.
• Beta radiation ($\beta$) consists of fast-moving electrons, and have a relative mass of 0 and a charge of -1.
• Gamma radiation ($\gamma$) is a kind of electromagnetic radiation that is emitted by unstable nuclei with excess energy, after an alpha or beta emission.