The “magic number” is a quantity of protons or neutrons that makes an atomic nucleus unusually stable. Protons and neutrons fill up separate shells inside nuclei and each shell can accommodate only a certain number of particles. A nucleus holds a ‘magic number’ of protons or neutrons when the particles completely fill the shells without any room left for adding more. This renders the nucleus more stable and longer-lived than other nuclei.
Researchers smashed beams of nuclei together at high speeds and discovered that calcium-54, which has 20 protons and 34 neutrons in its nucleus is stable – for a few milliseconds. This isotope is a radioactive variant of calcium and is not regularly found in nature. The new magic number could help scientists understand how atomic nuclei are formed in stars.
Read more: http://bit.ly/GQOwKq
Researchers smashed beams of nuclei together at high speeds and discovered that calcium-54, which has 20 protons and 34 neutrons in its nucleus is stable – for a few milliseconds. This isotope is a radioactive variant of calcium and is not regularly found in nature. The new magic number could help scientists understand how atomic nuclei are formed in stars.
Read more: http://bit.ly/GQOwKq
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