Nuclear chemistry magic numbers

Quantum calculations suggested that the nuclei of elements with even numbers of protons and neutrons are stable and particularly so when certain magic numbers are met (see chapter 9). An island of stability was predicted in the vicinity of the element having Z = 114 and N = 184. Such elements are of interest both Ifom the standpoint of nuclear physics and chemistry. The chemistries of individual atoms with nuclear half-lives under 10 seconds, sometimes as brief as 1 second, can be studied immediately following their creation, atom-by-atom, in accelerators using online chemical techniques. 

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