Understanding the 'Magic Numbers' in Nuclear Physics That Enable Infinite Atom Stability

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Source: Live Science
Understanding the 'Magic Numbers' in Nuclear Physics That Enable Infinite Atom Stability
Photo: Live Science
TL;DR

Magic numbers in nuclear physics are specific counts of protons and neutrons (2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126) that lead to especially stable atomic nuclei, explained by the nuclear shell model where complete shells confer stability, similar to electron shells in atoms.

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