magic number

magic number

n.

1. Any of the numbers, 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, or 126, that represent the number of neutrons or protons in strongly bound and exceptionally stable atomic nuclei.

2. Sports The number of wins by a leading team and losses by its closest competitor required in order for the leading team to capture a championship or secure a playoff spot.

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magic number

n

1. (Physics / General Physics) Physics any of the numbers 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, and 126. Nuclides with these numbers of nucleons appear to have greater stability than other nuclides

2. (Chemistry) Chem a number of atoms that is particularly stable in certain types of compound that have clusters of the same type of atom

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magic number  (mjk)

Any of the numbers, 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, or 126, that represent the number of neutrons or protons in strongly bound and exceptionally stable atomic nuclei. The existence of such stable nuclei is explained by assuming a shell structure for nucleons, much like the shell structure of electron orbitals around the nucleus.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

magic number - the atomic number of an extra stable strongly bound atomic nucleus: 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82 or 126 atomic number - the order of an element in Mendeleyev's table of the elements; equal to the number of protons in the nucleus or electrons in the neutral state of an atom of an element