Nuclear Shell

According to the shell model of the nucleus, each nucleon in the nucleus is in a certain quantum state, and no more than (2j + 1) nucleons (j is the spin of the nucleon) that form a nuclear shell can be in each state with a given energy (on an energy level). Nuclei in which the nucleonic shells are completely filled are called magic nuclei. (For more details, see and MAGIC NUMBER NUCLEI.)