In chemistry, a magic number is any number of protons and neutrons that leads to an extremely chemically stable element. Acknowledged magic numbers include 2, 8, 20, 28, and so on.

Every element is given an atomic number, which corresponds to the number of protons in its nucleus. Hydrogen, the lightest element, has an atomic number of one, and its nucleus contains one proton.

But it cannot yet make elements. Here's how that step happens. In a Universe loaded with neutrons and protons, it seems like building elements would be a cinch.

Protons are about 99.86% as massive as neutrons according to the Jefferson Lab. The number of protons in an atom is unique to each element.

There are 118 elements that make up the Periodic Table, organized by their atomic number — the number of protons in the element's atomic nucleus.

The new element is radioactive, and while it is in the detector, it gives off alpha particles—two protons and two neutrons—in a predictable fashion.

The first precise mass measurements of an extremely short-lived and proton-rich nucleus, silicon-22, have revealed the “magic” – that is, unusually tightly bound – nature of nuclei containing 14 ...

The finding could be put to use at a new facility opening in 2020 that might create new elements—that is, nuclei with more than 118 protons—in addition to new isotopes of the known elements ...

The more protons and neutrons scientists squeeze together to construct a “superheavy” atomic nucleus—one with a total number of protons greater than 103—the more fragile the resulting ...