Strong Nuclear Force

Imagine trying to keep a group of unruly cats together in a small room; they constantly want to scatter and do their own thing. The strong nuclear force is like the invisible hand that keeps those cats (or subatomic particles) from running off when they're extremely close together. Just as you might use enticing toys or treats to keep the cats within a confined space, the strong nuclear force works to hold protons and neutrons tightly packed in the nucleus, overcoming their natural tendency to repel each other due to their like charges.