News Physics

Physicists get a first glimpse of the elusive isotope nitrogen-9

The atom’s nucleus has a lopsided count of seven protons but just two neutrons

A photo of a periodic table focusing on Nitrogen.

Most nitrogen comes as the isotope nitrogen-14, with seven protons and seven neutrons. But physicists say they have glimpsed a far more elusive variant with just two neutrons.

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By Elise Cutts

Researchers may have just spotted the elusive, ephemeral nucleus of nitrogen-9 for the first time.

With seven protons and two neutrons, the lopsided atomic nucleus of nitrogen-9 pushes the limits of what can even be considered a nucleus at all.