The most recent breakthrough from the field of nuclear physics is proof positive that the universe never stops surprising us.
Two never-before-seen oxygen isotopes, oxygen-27 and oxygen-28, have been found by a team of researchers led by Yosuke Kondo of the Tokyo Institute of Technology that challenge our understanding of atomic nuclei. This revolutionary finding might alter our understanding of atomic structure and the alleged “magic numbers” that control the stability of atomic nuclei.
Scientists have focused their attention on oxygen-28 in particular. It contains the most neutrons ever recorded in an oxygen atom, 20 of them. Conventional opinion holds that this should stabilize it.
But because the isotope decays quickly, it puts our understanding of nuclear physics’ “magic numbers” to the test.
The number of nucleons (protons and neutrons) that make an atomic nucleus particularly stable is known as the “magic number.” In order for Oxygen-28 to be extraordinarily stable, it was predicted that it would be doubly magical, meaning that both its proton and neutron shells should possess magic numbers. This is not the case, though.
By directing a beam of calcium-48 isotopes towards a target constructed of beryllium, the researchers made this finding at the RIKEN Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory. Fluorine-29, one of the lighter atoms created as a result, was used to make oxygen-28.
The results were unexpected: both oxygen-27 and oxygen-28 are unstable and quickly decompose into various forms. Scientists are now debating whether 20 is really the magic number for neutrons as a result of this.
This finding has broad ramifications. It raises questions about the stability of other elements and isotopes and casts doubt on our knowledge of atomic nuclei.
These kinds of findings serve as a reminder that our understanding of the cosmos is still developing as we continue to delve into the intricate details of atomic structure. In the broader scheme of things, it serves as a sobering reminder that we are still cosmos students, eager to solve its mysteries.