Can't you make elements out of elements

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of transmutation, specifically the ability to change one element into another, such as converting mercury (atomic number 80) into gold (atomic number 79) by removing a proton. This process, established over 60 years ago in laboratory settings, utilizes nuclear binding energy. However, the discussion highlights a significant drawback: the cost of transmuting elements is prohibitively high, far exceeding the market value of the resulting gold.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of atomic structure and atomic numbers
  • Familiarity with nuclear binding energy concepts
  • Knowledge of transmutation processes in nuclear chemistry
  • Basic principles of element creation in laboratory settings
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of nuclear chemistry and transmutation techniques
  • Explore the economic implications of element transmutation
  • Investigate current laboratory methods for creating new elements
  • Learn about the historical context and advancements in nuclear physics over the past 80 years
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Students and professionals in nuclear chemistry, physicists interested in element creation, and anyone exploring the economic aspects of scientific advancements in transmutation.

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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