The strong nuclear force is one of the four fundamental forces of nature. It binds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus of an atom, overcoming the repulsive force between positively charged protons. This force is extremely powerful but acts over a very short range, typically around one femtometer (10^-15 meters). In contrast, the weak nuclear force is responsible for processes like radioactive decay and nuclear fusion. It operates at an even shorter range than the strong force and is crucial for the transformation of one type of subatomic particle into another, such as a neutron changing into a proton. This force plays a key role in the energy production of stars, including our own Sun.