In particle physics, what are "magic numbers"?

Brainyblonde

Numbers of atomic nucleons which are unusually commonly found in nature. They have atomic number N or atomic mass number Z of 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126. http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/physics/MagicNumber.html When spheres are swirled in a dish, stable ring patterns emerge for certain numbers of spheres ("magic numbers" such as 21) but not for others. http://www.aip.org/physnews/graphics/html/magicball.html Mar 30 04, 11:37 PM

riotgrrl

Here's why they are so often found: "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." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_number_(physics) Mar 31 04, 8:48 AM

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