“When measuring a nucleus with a certain “magic” number of neutrons—82—the magnetic field of the nucleus exhibited a drastic change, and the properties of these very complex nuclei appear to be governed by just one of the protons of the nucleus.”
I get the gist of the article, and see this as a major development in the effort to comprehend one of the fundamental forces. What does it mean to say that the properties of the nuclei are “governed” by just one of the protons? Governed in what way? (They were measuring phenonena, so I presume the governing was discerned as variations in the measured quantities of something.) Governed by any one of the protons in a group that adds up to 82, or a particular one in a particular geometric relation to the others? Do the measured quantities reach a critical level at 82?
It says that the electromagnetic field changes at 82 neutrons but not in what manner. Any idea on how it changes?