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The nucleus of an atom consists of protons (which are positively charged) and neutrons (which are neutral). Protons repel each other due to the electrostatic force (Coulomb repulsion). The gravitational force is far too weak to overcome this repulsion.The force that holds the protons and neutrons together in the nucleus, despite the electrostatic repulsion between protons, is the strong nuclear force (or simply the strong force). It is the strongest of the four fundamental forces, has a very short range (acting only over nuclear distances), and is attractive between all nucleons (protons and neutrons).