magic proton number

A magic proton number refers to specific counts of protons in an atomic nucleus that result in unusually stable configurations. These numbers—2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, and 126—correspond to complete, filled proton shells within the nucleus, similar to how electrons fill orbitals in an atom. When protons reach these numbers, the nucleus tends to be more stable and less likely to undergo radioactive decay. Recognizing these magic numbers helps scientists understand nuclear structure and predict the stability of different elements and isotopes.