: A powerful, short-range force that overcomes the electrical repulsion between protons to bind nucleons together.
) : The number of protons, which defines the element's identity. : The number of neutrons. Atomic Mass Number ( ) : The total sum of protons and neutrons ( Nuclear Density : Nuclei are incredibly dense, roughly Introductory Nuclear Physics
, based on the "mass defect" (the difference between the mass of the nucleus and the sum of its individual components). Fundamental Interactions : A powerful, short-range force that overcomes the
: The nucleus consists of hadrons : protons (positive charge) and neutrons (neutral charge). Atomic Number ( : A powerful