Magic numbers make nickel nucleus stronger

Researchers made magic with nickel, but this was no coin trick

Researchers provide the first direct evidence for a rare kind of atomic nucleus. The special nickel nucleus (⁷⁸Ni) is an isotope of typical nickel (⁵⁸Ni), meaning they share the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons. Usually more neutrons make isotopes less stable, but this isotope is special. ⁷⁸Ni is more tough or rigid than other nickel isotopes with similar numbers of neutrons − it takes more energy to excite ⁷⁸Ni into a different state. Read more.