Chapter 21, Problem 12E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

“ Magic numbers” should be identified.

Concept introduction:

In any nuclide, neutron to proton ratio (N/Z) is an important factor in determining the overall stability of that particular nuclide. There are certain number of protons and neutrons that give an additional stability to a nuclide. Those number of protons and neutrons are known as magic numbers. There are few isotopes that have magic numbers for both protons and neutrons; this is known as double magic numbers.

These magic numbers are:

• proton: 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 114

• neutron: 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126, 184