Can't you make elements out of elements

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of transmutation, specifically the idea of changing one element into another, such as transforming mercury into gold by removing a proton. Participants explore the feasibility and implications of this process, touching on nuclear binding energy and the practical challenges involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether it is possible to extract a proton from a mercury atom to change its atomic number from 80 to 79, thus creating gold.
  • Another participant humorously inquires about the tools necessary for such an extraction, suggesting a light-hearted tone in the discussion.
  • A participant mentions nuclear binding energy in relation to the process, implying its relevance to the feasibility of transmutation.
  • There is a suggestion that transmutation is a well-established process, with a history of over 60 years in the lab and 80 years in theoretical discussions.
  • One participant highlights the significant cost associated with transmutation, noting that the expense of creating gold far exceeds its market value.
  • Another participant expresses interest in the topic, indicating engagement with the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the practicality of extracting protons or the feasibility of transmutation, with some expressing skepticism and others providing information about the process.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not clarify the specific mechanisms or conditions required for transmutation, nor does it address the scientific principles underlying nuclear binding energy in detail.

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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Sounds good, now what kind of tweezers do you use to grab a proton?
 
Very funny but can't you use nuclear binding energy...
 
As tweezers? How?
 
So are you saying it's impossible...
 
It called transmutation. It's 60+ years old now in the lab, maybe 80 years old on paper.
 
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.
 
Oh ok that's pretty interesting..
 

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