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In nuclear physics, a magic number is a number of
nucleons such that they are arranged into complete shells within the atomic nucleus. The numbers are:
- 2, 8,
20, 28, 50, 82, 126.
If the count of protons is one of those magic numbers, then a neutral atom has the
same number of electrons , arranged into complete shells around the atomic nucleus.
Atomic nuclei consisting of such an "magic" number of nucleons are more stable than those having one nucleon more or one less.
Furthermore, nuclei which have both neutron number and proton number equal to one of the magic numbers are even more stable. For
example, Helium 4 is especially stable because it has both 2 protons and 2 neutrons. They are called doubly magic.
See also
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