# Which is larger, all known, bound nuclear energy levels, or known, bound atomic energy levels?

Both the atomic nucleus and the electrons are (complex) quantum systems and have large numbers of energy levels and transitions, and a basic shell model is usually part of introductory atomic physics as well as introductory nuclear physics.

Below, I give some samples of some atomic energy level lists for carbon, and nuclear energy levels for the isotope $^{12}C$ as a simple example of the types of data I'm asking about.

My Question: Roughly speaking, all told, are there roughly the same number of known bound atomic states and nuclear states, or is one number far larger than the other? I'm guessing the number of either one is somewhere around $\text{10}^5$ or $\text{10}^6$, but I have no idea where to even start to look to find out the answer.

above: Example of nuclear energy levels in $^{12}C$ from Energy Levels of Light Nuclei, A=12, Fay Azjenberg-Selove, Nucl. Phys. A506 (1990), 1 as reprinted in http://www.tunl.duke.edu/nucldata/fas/12_1990.pdf.

above: Example of carbon (atomic) energy levels from http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/atomic/carbon.html.

above: Example of carbon (atomic) energy levels from http://www.pci.tu-bs.de/aggericke/PC3e_osv/Kap_V/C_Ne.htm.

• I originally asked about relative numbers of electromagnetic transitions between bound states, but it turns out that would have been more difficult to answer. This should be easier
– uhoh
Jul 19 '16 at 10:12
• To the "opinion based" close voters, please check the solid, physics based answer.
– uhoh
Jul 19 '16 at 14:34