Book Title: Microcosmology Atom in Jain Philosophy and Modern Science
Author(s): Jethalal S Zaveri, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
View full book text
________________
Atom in Modern Science
31 discovery that the constant energy-flow from the sun is the result of nuclear reactions is one of the significant achievements of modern science!
FORCES KNOWN IN NATURE
The universe, according to physicists, is held together by four fundamental types of glue (force). In other words, all known forces in nature can be grouped into four categories according to their strength. This division is empirical (i.e., man made) for the convenience of explaining partial theories. It is quite possible that all the four types of forces are but different aspects of a single force.
In order of the decreasing strength, they are : 1. Strong nuclear force 2. Electromagnetic force 3. Weak nuclear force 4. Gravity (gravitational force)
1. The strongest force is the 'strong nuclear force' that is the binding force of the nuclei. It not only binds the nucleons, protons and neutrons together in the nucleus of an atom, but binds the constituents (quarks)2 of these nucleons together. The strong force deserves its name, because it is 100 times stronger than the familiar electromagnetic force. In fact, it is the strongest force known in nature. It has to be strong because it has to keep mutually repulsive protons, not only in close proximity, but also keep them bound together very tightly. It has the shortest range of all the forces known in nature. For example, only if a free proton comes within about one ten-trillionth 10-13 of a centimeter of the nucleus, it is suddenly sucked into the nucleus with a force one hundred times more powerful than the repulsive electromagnetic force. One ten-trillionth of a centimeter is about the diameter of the proton itself. At a distance, only slightly greater than its magnitude, the proton is relatively unaffected. Strong force
1. Further description of solar processes is given at the end of this chapter. 2. Quarks are dealt with in a later part of this chapter.
