Question

$O_2$ molecule consists of two oxygen atoms. In the molecule, nuclear force between the nuclei of the two atoms

• A. is not important because nuclear forces are short-ranged
• B. is as important as electrostatic force for binding the two atoms
• C. cancels the repulsive electrostatic force between the nuclei
• D. is not important because oxygen nucleus has equal number of neutrons and protons

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

In the given oxygen molecule, nuclear force between the nuclei of two atoms is not important because nuclear forces being short ranged are confined only within one particular nucleus. The distance between the nuclei of two atoms is large. So nuclear forces between two nuclei is not effective.