Taking a proton out of the atom.

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Removing a proton from a mercury atom, which has an atomic number of 80, theoretically transforms it into a gold atom with an atomic number of 79. However, this process is not feasible as protons cannot be simply extracted from the nucleus. The discussion highlights that radioactive decay involves elements transitioning into others through mechanisms such as alpha decay or neutron decay. Attempting to remove a proton from mercury would likely result in an unstable atom due to an excess of neutrons, leading to further disintegration.

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Karimspencer
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Now let's say you have a mercury atom that has an atomic number of 80 , now let's say you take out a proton put of the nucleus by using a a lot of energy(nuclear binding energy). Now won't taking the proton out , turn it into a gold atom since gold has an atomic number of 79.
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Yes, but you can't really just pick a proton and remove it. The general idea happens though. Radioactive decay is one element decaying into another by ejecting a He nucleus or neutron decay into a proton. I don't know enough about it to tell you what can decay into what, but I bet that the exact example you give cannot happen.
 
This may happen, if not mercury (since one proton emission doesn't happen) but the expense for the process would out weigh the worth of the lone gold atom. Also, its very probably that this atom would be unstable due to an excess of neutrons, and disintegrate into other simpler atoms.
 

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