Strong Force: Gluon or Pion?

I am doing aqa physics and my textbook tells me that pions are the exchange particle in the strong force. Whereas when researching the standard model as part of my summer task, I remember learning that gluons carried the strong nuclear force.

Which one of these is correct:
a. For my exam
b. In reality

As I assume inconsistencies like this only happen when it's a simplification for the exam.

Reply 1

Physics Enemy

Original post by Retsek

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Between nucleons (p/n) it's termed residual strong force or strong nuclear force, pion is the exchange particle. Between quarks, far smaller distances are involved, it's termed strong force/interaction (as normal), gluon is the exchange particle.