Assertion: Nuclear forces are independent of charges.
Reason: Nuclear force is not a short-range force.
(A) Both assertion and reason are correct, and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion.
(B) Both assertion and reason are correct, and the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion.
(C) The assertion is correct, but the reason is incorrect.
(D) Both assertion and reason are incorrect.

Hint Nuclear forces is a force that acts between two protons or two neutrons or one proton and one neutron. It is the force that acts between two nucleons. Nucleons are the particles present in the nucleus. It is this force that keeps all the protons and nucleons in the nucleus. Using the definition of nuclear force, we see which of the given options we find the answer.

Complete Step by step answer
Nuclear forces are forces acting between nucleons. This force keeps the nucleons inside the atomic nuclei. Although protons and neutrons are of different charges the nuclear force is the same between two protons or two neutrons or one neutron and one proton. By this, we can say that nuclear force doesn’t depend on charge.
The assertion is true.
The distance between two nucleons is of a microscopic level. The nuclear force acts between two nucleons of such a small range hence it is a short-range force.
The reason is false.

Hence option (c) assertion is correct, and the reason is incorrect is the correct option.

Additional information Nuclear energy plays an important role in string energy. This energy is used in nuclear power and nuclear weapons. This energy is stored when protons and neutrons are bonded together by the nuclear force to form a nucleus.

Note Students might get confused between intermolecular forces and nuclear forces. Intermolecular forces are forces that act between two molecules wherein nuclear forces are between two nucleons in a nucleus. Nuclear forces are very strong compared to chemical forces. These are the forces that are the cause of nuclear fission.