The force that maintains the integrity of an atom is primarily the electromagnetic force, specifically the electrostatic force. This force is responsible for holding the subatomic particles within an atom together and preventing them from flying apart.
Within an atom, you have positively charged protons in the nucleus, which are surrounded by negatively charged electrons orbiting around the nucleus. The protons and electrons attract each other due to their opposite charges, and this electrostatic force holds the electrons in their orbits around the nucleus.
On the other hand, the forces that hold atoms together to form molecules are primarily chemical forces, specifically chemical bonds. These bonds involve interactions between the outermost electrons of different atoms. The two most common types of chemical bonds are:
Covalent Bonds: In a covalent bond, atoms share electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. This sharing of electrons results in the formation of molecular orbitals, which hold the atoms together. Covalent bonds are typically found in molecules composed of nonmetals.
Ionic Bonds: Ionic bonds occur when there is a transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of ions. Ions with opposite charges attract each other, forming an ionic bond. Ionic bonds are commonly found in compounds composed of metals and nonmetals.
Other types of chemical bonds, such as metallic bonds and hydrogen bonds, also contribute to holding atoms together in different contexts.
In summary, the force that maintains the integrity of an atom is the electromagnetic force, specifically the electrostatic force between protons and electrons. The forces that hold atoms together to form molecules are primarily chemical forces, such as covalent bonds and ionic bonds.