The Magic number (physics) reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Magic number (physics)

A magic number in nuclear physics 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, and 126.

A neutral atom also has the same number of electrons that are arranged into complete shells around the atomic nucleus.

Atomic nuclei consisting of such an "magic" amount of nucleons are more stable than those having one nucleon more or one less.

See also

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