Can't you make elements out of elements

  • Thread starter Karimspencer
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In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of transmutation, where a proton is taken out of a mercury atom to change its atomic number and create a gold atom. This technique is expensive and has been used to create new elements, but the cost exceeds the value of the gold.
  • #1
Karimspencer
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Can't you take a proton out of a mercury atom for example so the atomic number can change from 80 to 79 so it can become a gold atom?
 
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  • #2
Sounds good, now what kind of tweezers do you use to grab a proton?
 
  • #3
Very funny but can't you use nuclear binding energy...
 
  • #4
As tweezers? How?
 
  • #5
So are you saying it's impossible...
 
  • #6
It called transmutation. It's 60+ years old now in the lab, maybe 80 years old on paper.
 
  • #7
Antiphon said:
It called transmutation. It's 60+ years old now in the lab, maybe 80 years old on paper.
Exactly. This is after all the technique used to create elements that have never been seen before.

There's one catch: It's expensive. Massively expensive. The cost of creating gold via transmutation exceeds the value of the gold by many, many orders of magnitude.
 
  • #8
Oh ok that's pretty interesting..
 

What does it mean to make elements out of elements?

Making elements out of elements refers to the process of creating new elements by combining smaller particles, such as protons, neutrons, and electrons, together. This process is known as nuclear fusion and occurs naturally in stars and during certain nuclear reactions.

Is it possible to create elements out of elements?

Yes, it is possible to create new elements through nuclear fusion. However, this process requires extreme conditions, such as high temperatures and pressures, and can only be achieved in specialized facilities, such as particle accelerators or nuclear reactors.

Why can't elements be made out of other elements?

While elements can be created through nuclear fusion, they cannot be made out of other elements. This is because each element has a unique number of protons in its nucleus, known as its atomic number. This number determines the element's identity and cannot be changed through nuclear fusion.

Can scientists create any element they want?

No, scientists cannot create any element they want. The creation of new elements through nuclear fusion is a complex and expensive process that requires precise control and understanding of the underlying physics. As a result, only a limited number of elements have been successfully created in laboratories.

What is the purpose of creating new elements?

The creation of new elements allows scientists to expand our understanding of the universe and the building blocks of matter. It also has practical applications, such as in the development of new materials and technologies, and can help us better understand nuclear reactions and energy production.

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