The color charges of the quarks are considered to be either red, green, or blue. Quantum chromodynamics postulates that the three valance quarks of protons and neutrons possess an attribute called “color charge.” Historically, a contradiction of the quantum mechanical basis of nucleon properties with the Pauli Exclusion Principle led to the concept of the color charge for quarks. Before describing this residual chromodynamic force, it is useful to mention a few specifics about quantum chromodynamics (QCD).

However, the nuclear shell model does not predict the nuclear binding energy, rather the shell model defers back to the Weizsäcker formula for binding energy calculations.Ī third currently accepted model of the nuclear force is the residual chromo-dynamic force (RCDF) model, also known as the residual strong force model. The nuclear shell model is similar to the electronic shell model, which describes the electrons orbiting around an atom. Īnother currently accepted model of the nuclear force is the shell model, which uses magic numbers to explain certain nuclear behavior.

The liquid drop model is considered to be a “semi-classical” model of the nuclear force, rather than a quantum model. These parameters are selected to empirically curve-fit an equation to match the experimental data. The Weizsäcker formula is a curve-fitting formula that uses five parameters, plus one conditional logic statement, in order to achieve its results. This model of the nuclear force uses the Weizsäcker formula to predict the binding energies of nuclides. One of the currently accepted models of the nuclear force is the liquid drop model. The nuclear force is defined as the force which binds the protons and neutrons together within a nucleus.

Down quark