The universe never ceases to surprise us, and the latest revelation comes from the realm of nuclear physics.
A vial of ultra-pure oxygen. (Hi-Res Images of Chemical
Elements/CC BY 3.0) |
Researchers led by Yosuke Kondo of the Tokyo Institute of
Technology have discovered two never-before-seen isotopes of oxygen—oxygen-27
and oxygen-28—that defy our current understanding of atomic nuclei. This
groundbreaking discovery could reshape our knowledge of atomic structure and
the so-called "magic numbers" that dictate the stability of atomic
nuclei.
Oxygen-28, in particular, has caught the attention of
scientists. With 20 neutrons, it has the highest number of neutrons ever
observed in an oxygen atom. According to conventional wisdom, this should make
it stable.
However, the isotope decays rapidly, challenging our
understanding of "magic numbers" in nuclear physics.
These magic numbers are the number of nucleons (protons and
neutrons) that make an atomic nucleus especially stable. Oxygen-28 was expected
to be doubly magic, meaning both its proton and neutron shells should contain
magic numbers, making it exceptionally stable. However, this is not the case.
The team made this discovery at the RIKEN Radioactive
Isotope Beam Factory by firing a beam of calcium-48 isotopes at a beryllium
target. This produced lighter atoms, including fluorine-29, which was then used
to create oxygen-28.
The results were surprising: both oxygen-27 and oxygen-28
are unstable, decaying into other forms in a short period. This has led
scientists to question whether 20 is indeed a magic number for neutrons.
This discovery has far-reaching implications. It not only
challenges our understanding of atomic nuclei but also opens up new avenues for
research into the stability of other elements and isotopes.
As we continue to delve into the intricacies of atomic
structure, discoveries like this remind us that our understanding of the universe
is still evolving. It's a humbling reminder that in the grand scheme of things,
we are still students of the cosmos, ever eager to unravel its mysteries.