Draw a plot of the potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their separation. Mark the regions where the nuclear force is (i) attractive and (ii) repulsive. Write any two characteristic features of nuclear forces.

The potential energy (PE) vs separation graph is shown in figure. From the graph- (i) the nuclear force is repulsive when the separation is less 1 fm (1 fermi = 10⁻¹⁵m). (ii) It is attractive when the separation is greater than 1 fm. The characteristic properties of nuclear force: i) The nuclear force is a short-range force. ii) The nuclear force is independent of electric charge.