Definition of magic number

The term "magic number" originally emerged in scientific contexts, particularly in physics and chemistry, to describe certain sets of particles or subatomic structures that exhibit unique properties and behaviors. In physics, for instance, the term refers to the number of particles, typically neutrons, required to form stable atomic nuclei, known as nucleons. The most famous magic number is 20, as this is the number of neutrons needed for stabilization in the neutron shells of nuclei like calcium and nickel. In chemistry, the concept of magic numbers is used to describe the arrangements of electrons in atomic or molecular structures. Molecules with electron configurations that align with magic numbers exhibit enhanced stability and stability due to the electron pairs forming more stable bonds. The idea of magic numbers in these fields has since expanded into other areas, from the mathematics of crystals and quantum mechanics to the psychology of memory and learning, where the term "magic number" describes a series of approximate numbers that humans tend to remember more easily than others due to their inherent patterns and symmetries. Overall, the etymology of "magic number" comes from theidea that these numbers hold a kind of mystical or unknown significance, akin to the fascination with the numerical patterns in nature and the occult, and has been adapted and renamed in various fields for its practical usefulness.