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Magic Number

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Magic Number

Uploaded by

spotifyteam712
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Magic Numbers

Magic Numbers refer to the numbers of nucleons (either protons or neutrons) that
result in exceptional stability to nuclei. These numbers are 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, and 126.
These are called Magic numbers. At these numbers, nuclear shells are completely filled
which gives the greater stability of the nuclei. Doubly magic nuclei are nuclei where both the
number of protons and the number of neutrons are magic numbers, resulting in extra stability.
Some examples of nuclei with magic numbers:
1. Helium4 ( 𝐻𝑒): Both protons and neutrons are magic numbers (2 protons, 2 neutrons)
2. Oxygen-16 ( 𝑂): It has 8 protons and 8 neutrons, both of which are magic numbers.
3. Calcium-40 ( 𝐶𝑎): Contains 20 protons and 20 neutrons, making it doubly magic.
4. Calcium-48 ( 𝐶𝑎): This isotope also has 20 protons and 28 neutrons, both of which
are magic numbers.

 Evidence for Magic Numbers


(i) Large abundances of isotopes: The number of stable and long-lived isotopes
is greater at Z = 20 (six isotopes) and Z = 50 (ten isotopes) compared to
nearby even atomic numbers.
(ii) The number of stable and long-lived isotopes is greater at N = 20 (five
isotopes), N = 28 (five isotopes), N = 50 (six isotopes), and N = 82 (seven
isotopes) than for any other nearby even neutron numbers.
(iii) Stable and long-lived nuclides with odd numbers of protons and the same
even number of neutrons are rare. They are found only at specific neutron
numbers.
For instance, at N = 20, we have 1737Cl and 1939K. At N = 50, the pairs inclu
de 3787Rb and 3989Y. Lastly, at N = 82, the pairs are 57139La and 59141Pm.
These unique pairs underscore the stability patterns associated with specific n
eutron numbers. For example, at N=20 we have 𝐶𝑙 and 𝐾 ; at N=50 we
have 𝑅𝑏 and 𝑌.
These pairs highlight the stable patterns seen with certain numbers of neutrons.

 Evidence for Magic Numbers from nuclear stability


Data indicate a sharp reduction in binding energy for the last nucleon added to nuclei with ma
gic numbers, such as a neutron added to N = 126 and a proton added to Z = 82.
The plot of binding energy per nucleon against mass number highlights the stability provided
by higher magic numbers.
 Changes in B/A at mass number 208, linked to the completion of the 82-neutron shell.
 Changes near mass number 140 (Ce-140), associated with the completion of the 82-
neutron shell.
 Changes around mass number 88 (Sr-88), related to the completion of the 50-neutron
shell.

 Evidence for Magic Number from Neutron Cross-Sections


Neutron absorption cross-sections are typically small for nuclides with 50, 82, or 126 neutrons when
neutron energies are between 0.4–1.0 MeV. This is due to the low excitation energy of the compound
nucleus with 51, 83, or 127 neutrons. At low excitation energies, level density is small, reducing the
cross-section. Additionally, no significant resonant scattering or absorption occurs for neutrons with
energies below 0.1 MeV in 𝑍𝑟 , 𝑆𝑛, 𝐿𝑎, 𝐵𝑖

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