Final answer:
Molecules that have no function outside the nucleus are nucleons, specifically protons and neutrons, which are bound by nuclear forces and composed of quarks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The molecules that have no function outside of the nucleus are the nucleons, which include protons and neutrons. Neutrons are electrically neutral particles found in the nucleus of an atom, while protons possess a positive electrical charge. Both are bound together within the nucleus by the nuclear force.
The mass of a neutron is slightly greater than that of a proton, with neutrons and protons being roughly the same size. Neutrons, with no electrical charge, contrast with the electrons orbiting the nucleus, which have a negative charge and are involved in chemical reactions and bonding to form molecules.
Protons and neutrons are themselves composed of quarks, which are currently considered fundamental particles, meaning they are not known to be made up of smaller parts. The stability and abundance of elements are determined by the interactions between protons and neutrons within the nucleus.
The complexities of quantum mechanics, such as quantum mechanical tunneling, allow for processes like alpha decay, where an alpha particle (which is composed of two protons and two neutrons) escapes the nucleus even without the kinetic energy to overcome the nuclear force.