Physics has seven magic numbers . An atom with a magic number of proton or neutron is super stable . When both the proton and neutron are magic , that ’s a double magic speck . There are only six of them . Until now .
The seven charming numbers are 2 , 8 , 20 , 28 , 50 , 82 , and 126 . They are the number of nucleon – which can be either protons or neutrons – you need to fill up the case found in the atomic nucleus . The completely satisfy shells cause the atomic cell nucleus to be more tightly throttle together than mere calculations would predict , meaning the wizard atoms are unusually stable . ( These numbers are not the number of negatron you postulate to replete up the various orbital variance , although there is some overlap . Those are 2 , 8 , 18 , 32 , and 50 . )
So , if both the neutron and protons hap to be magic phone number , the particle is not only extra stable , but its nucleus is also stiffly globose , which is very unusual and helps observers confirm the twice magical properties of the mote . These isotopes – which admit helium-4 ( 2 protons and 2 neutrons , and one of the most abundant isotope in the universe ) , lead-208 ( 82 proton and 126 neutron , and the heaviest static atom ) , and the pair of calcium-48 and nickel-48 ( the former has 20 protons and 28 neutrons , while the latter is vice versa ) . The latest to be discovered is tin-132 , which has 50 protons and 82 neutron .
This isotope is extra because it ’s the first double magic isotope to also be both radioactive and neutron - rich . This uncovering of such an isotope will help physicists better meditate the working of what is known as the r - cognitive operation , which is thought to be creditworthy for the constitution of about one-half of all elements in the population heavier than iron . Short for speedy process , the r - process occurs in collapsing supernovae where monolithic amounts of free neutrons are released and then captured by nuclei , foment the institution of dense component .
Tin-132 is think to be very close to the sort of nuclei that are most often featured in such process , and its greater stability allows physicists the opportunity to more intimately examine its property and determine just how the universal gas constant - summons works .
[ Nature ]
PhysicsScience
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