What Are the Key Concepts of the Shell Model in Nuclear Physics?

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    Atomic Magic Numbers
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the shell model in nuclear physics, particularly its analogy to the periodic table and the identification of atomic numbers corresponding to closed shells or subshells. Participants explore the implications of the shell model on chemical inertness and the calculation of magic numbers.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant references B.R. Martins' text, noting the analogy between the shell model and the periodic table, specifically regarding the filling of orbitals and the implications for chemical inertness.
  • Another participant highlights the differences between the strong interaction in nuclei and the potential experienced by electrons in hydrogen, emphasizing the complexity of energy levels in nuclear systems.
  • A participant questions the assertion that the atomic numbers for closed shells can be straightforwardly calculated, seeking clarification on the theoretical framework for such calculations.
  • Another reply suggests that while calculating energy levels numerically is challenging, it is indeed possible to determine the magic numbers associated with closed shells.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the calculation of atomic numbers corresponding to closed shells, with some questioning the straightforwardness of the process while others assert that it can be done within a theoretical framework. No consensus is reached on the methodology or the interpretation of magic numbers.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reveals limitations in understanding the relationship between atomic numbers and closed shells, as well as the complexities involved in calculating energy levels in nuclear physics. There are unresolved assumptions regarding the theoretical approaches to these calculations.

center o bass
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I'm currently reading about nuclear and particle physics in B.R.Martins 'An introduction to nuclear and particle physics'.

In chapter 7.3 he introduces the shell model of the nucleus and draws an analogy to the periodic table and how we think of it being constructed of progressively placing more and more electrons in 'orbitals' given by the quantum numbers n,l and ml.

From the study of the hydrogen atom we know that the energy levels are degenerate with 2n^2. Martin further notes that if a shell or a subshell is filled then

\sum m_s = \sum m_l = 0
which implies that
\vec L = \vec S = 0 = \vec J = \vec L + \vec S.
He then states that 'For any atom with a closed shell or a closed sub-shell, the electrons are paired off and thus no valence electrons are avaiable. Such atoms are therefore chemically inert. It is straight forward to work out the atomic numbers at which this occurs. These are

Z = 2,10,18,36,54.'

But I do not understand how these numbers are obtained. If one follows the 'hydrogen model' I would think that the numbers at which we have a closed shell or subshell would be

Z = 2,4,10,12,18,28, \ldots

corresponding to the electron configurations

1s^2, 1s^2 2s^2, 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6,1s^2 2s^2 2p^63s^2, \ldots

What have I missunderstood here?
 
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The strong interaction in a nucleus is a bit different from the hydrogen atom. There, electrons have a potential given by other particles (the nucleus), with an 1/r^2-law. This is not true for the strong interaction, where the interaction is short-ranged and given by other nucleons in the same volume. As a result, the energy levels depend heavily on the quantum states, and you get a nice mess with different magic numbers.
 
But how, then, can it be that

It is straight forward to work out the atomic numbers at which this occurs
?
Can these be calculated within a theoretical framework?
 
You can work out these numbers if you know the energy levels.
Calculating these energy levels (numerically) is not so easy, but it is possible.
 

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