The strong interaction, also known as the strong nuclear force, is one of the four fundamental forces in nature. It is responsible for holding the protons and neutrons together in the nucleus of an atom. This force is incredibly powerful but acts over a very short range, typically on the order of a femtometer (10^-15 meters). This interaction is mediated by particles called gluons, which are exchanged between quarks, the building blocks of protons and neutrons. The strong interaction is essential for the stability of atomic nuclei and plays a crucial role in processes like nuclear fusion, which powers stars, including our Sun.