Steven,
>>>1) What force originally placed the current energy in the atoms in their current form?
>>
>>The "strong" force.
>>
>>>2) What force is holding them together now?
>>
>>The "strong" force.
>>
>>
>>Physicists consider there are four basic forces in nature: gravitation, the "strong" force, the "weak" force, and the electric/magnetic forces.
>>
>>The "strong" force holds protons together - at a short distance, this force is stronger than the repulsive electrostatic force.
>>
>>At longer distances, it seems that this force has no influence.
>>
>>Hilmar.
>
>Cool Hilmar!
>
> So are you familiar with the 'unfolding of the space-time continuum', '10 to the 40th' and all that too?
Is this related to the notion that gravity or some other 'force' is faster than light?
>
>Steven-
Best,
DD
A man is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep for that which he cannot lose.
Everything I don't understand must be easy!
The difficulty of any task is measured by the capacity of the agent performing the work.