How come protons within atoms aren’t constantly repelling each other?
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TLDR: They are, but other forces override this
The Nucleus of atoms is held together with what is aptly named the Strong Force.
This force is far stronger than the electromagnetic forces that cause Protons to repel each other, but it only works at very close ranges.
This is why it takes so much energy for Protons to fuse. The energy has to overcome the repulsion force until they are close enough for the Strong force to take over.
Just like forcing two positive ends of magnets together, they resist but the force you apply is strong enough to keep them together.
Neutrons also play a role. They can be thought of as creating a buffer between Protons that add stability to a nuclei. Without them the repulsive force of Protons breaks apart atomic nuclei and is partially responsible for why larger atoms decay into lighter ones.
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