Nucleosynthesis of gold in the lab

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the possibility of synthesizing gold in a laboratory setting through nuclear reactions. Participants explore the nuclear equations involved and the feasibility of such processes, considering both theoretical and practical aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire whether gold can be produced from another element through nuclear reactions.
  • One participant suggests bombarding Hg-196 with neutrons to produce Hg-197, which decays to Au-197, while noting the rarity of Hg-196 in nature.
  • Another approach mentioned involves bombarding Pt-196 with neutrons to create Pt-197, which also decays to Au-197, but the neutron absorption cross section for Pt-196 is lower.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the cost-effectiveness of producing gold in this manner, with one participant stating that the resources required would far exceed the value of the gold produced.
  • Participants discuss the fluctuating price of gold and speculate on its potential to rise significantly, although one participant emphasizes that it would need to reach about a billion dollars per ounce to make the process worthwhile.
  • There are references to historical price changes of gold and comparisons to the prices of other commodities, suggesting that while gold prices have increased, they have not done so to a degree that would justify the costs of nuclear synthesis.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility and economic viability of synthesizing gold. While some acknowledge the theoretical possibility, others emphasize the impracticality and high costs involved, leading to an unresolved discussion on the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the rarity of the isotopes required for gold synthesis and the significant costs associated with the necessary nuclear reactions, which remain unresolved in the discussion.

quantum123
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Can we make gold from nuclear reaction in the lab?
If yes, what are the nuclear equations?
 
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Make gold from what?
 
From another element.
 
You can bombard Hg-196 with neutrons to produce Hg-197 which then decays to Au-197. Hg-196 is only 0.15% of natural mercury though. Alternatively, you can bombard Pt-196 with neutrons to create Pt-197 which also decays to Au-197, however the neutron absorption cross section for Pt-196 is much lower.

Note that the fissile material or particle accelerator power required to generate neutrons would be orders of magnitude more valuable than any gold you could produce (and in the case of platinum, the original platinum is more valuable than the resulting gold anyway).
 
Thanks! We are a gold crazy civilization. Gold price may rise past those prices you mentioned who knows?
Found this somewhere:
Mercury 198 + 6.8MeV gamma ray -> to 1 neutron + Mercury 197 (half-life 2.7 days -> to Gold 197)



Anymore info is welcome. :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
quantum123 said:
Thanks! We are a gold crazy civilization. Gold price may rise past those prices you mentioned who knows?

No. You have misinterpreted my response. Recall the use of order of magnitude in the plural. Gold would have to rise in price to about a billion dollars per ounce before it became worthwhile to do so. Furthermore, The isotope of mercury required to produce gold is more rare than the gold itself.
 
quantum123 said:
Refer to chart:
Gold price did rise a few orders of magnitude.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gold_price_in_USD.png

It rose one order of magnitude over the entire history of industrialized civilization. It would have to rise 6 more orders of magnitude before you could break even. Somewhere around a billion dollars per ounce.
 
quantum123 said:
Refer to chart:
Gold price did rise a few orders of magnitude.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gold_price_in_USD.png

But so did the price of everything else. In the same period, the price of one bottle of coke rose from 5 cents to at least 100 cents.
More than the price of gold...
 
  • #10
I see that this went downhill quickly.
 

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