Scientists found perfectly balanced atoms that break the traditional rules of nuclear physics
Researchers recently identified rare isotopes of oxygen and calcium that challenge long-held theories about how protons and neutrons arrange themselves within an atomic nucleus to maintain stability.
Physicists discovered that certain isotopes, like oxygen-28, behave unexpectedly despite having a supposedly stable number of neutrons. In nuclear physics, magic numbers usually indicate that an atom will be exceptionally sturdy and long-lived. However, this specific oxygen isotope decayed almost instantly, defying traditional models of nuclear structure.
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