The ALICE experiment at CERN's Large Hadron Collider has observed the transformation of lead nuclei into gold. This doesn't involve alchemy, but rather a natural, albeit rare, radioactive decay process. When lead ions collide in the LHC, they can lose a proton, resulting in an isotope of gold. This gold nucleus is unstable and quickly decays further, but its brief existence has been confirmed by ALICE through precision measurements of the particle's momentum and mass-to-charge ratio. This observation provides valuable data for understanding the nuclear structure of heavy ions and the processes occurring during high-energy collisions.
In a groundbreaking observation at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, the ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) collaboration has detected the transformation of lead into gold. While alchemists have pursued this seemingly magical conversion for centuries, this achievement is not the mythical transmutation they sought, but rather a fascinating demonstration of fundamental nuclear physics processes occurring within the extreme conditions generated by the LHC.
The process observed by ALICE involves the stripping of three protons from a lead nucleus during high-energy collisions. Lead, a heavy metal with 82 protons in its nucleus, is accelerated to nearly the speed of light within the LHC. When these lead ions collide, the immense energies involved can cause the ejection of several constituent particles, including protons. In this specific case, the loss of three protons effectively transforms the lead nucleus (atomic number 82) into a gold nucleus (atomic number 79).
It is crucial to understand that this is not the creation of economically viable gold. The quantities produced are infinitesimally small and exist only fleetingly. Moreover, the resulting gold isotopes are highly unstable and rapidly decay into other elements. The significance of this observation lies not in its practicality but in its confirmation and further elucidation of our understanding of nuclear interactions under extreme conditions. The experiment provides valuable data for testing theoretical models of heavy-ion collisions and exploring the behavior of matter under extreme temperatures and densities. This contributes to a broader scientific endeavor of understanding the fundamental forces and building blocks of the universe, harkening back to the earliest moments after the Big Bang.
The ALICE detector, specifically designed to study heavy-ion collisions, played a pivotal role in this discovery. Its sophisticated instrumentation allowed for the precise identification of the gold nuclei produced in these collisions, distinguishing them from other particles generated in the complex debris of the collision events. This high degree of precision was essential for confirming the occurrence of this specific nuclear transformation.
This observation underscores the unique research capabilities of the LHC, enabling scientists to probe the very nature of matter and the forces that govern its behavior. While not fulfilling the ancient alchemical dream, the discovery offers invaluable insights into the fundamental laws of physics, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and advancing our comprehension of the universe at its most fundamental level.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43937214
Several commenters on Hacker News expressed skepticism about the title's phrasing, clarifying that the process described in the article involves creating a very small amount of gold from lead for an extremely short period, and that it is not a viable method for producing gold. They point out that the energy cost far exceeds the value of the gold produced. Some discussed the nuclear physics involved, explaining the difference between nuclear fission and fusion, and how this experiment relates to neither. The impracticality of the process for gold production was a recurring theme. Others mentioned the difficulties of separating the gold from the lead target, further emphasizing the lack of practical application. A few comments jokingly referred to alchemy, contrasting the reality of the experiment with the historical pursuit of transmuting base metals into gold.
The Hacker News post titled "ALICE detects the conversion of lead into gold at the LHC" has generated several comments discussing the linked article about the ALICE experiment at CERN. The discussion mainly revolves around the practicality and efficiency of using this method for gold production, the nature of the nuclear reactions involved, and the historical context of alchemy.
Several commenters point out that the amount of gold produced in this experiment is incredibly tiny and the process is incredibly energy-intensive, making it completely impractical for actual gold production. They emphasize that the energy cost vastly outweighs the value of the minuscule amount of gold created. One commenter humorously calculates that the electricity bill for producing a noticeable quantity of gold this way would be astronomical.
Some comments delve into the specifics of the nuclear reaction. They explain that this isn't true "alchemy" in the traditional sense, as it doesn't involve transmuting lead into gold through chemical means. Instead, it's a nuclear physics process involving high-energy collisions that strip protons from lead nuclei, resulting in a small probability of creating gold isotopes. This process, they explain, is more akin to nuclear fission or fusion than the chemical transformations sought by alchemists.
A few comments highlight the historical context, mentioning the long-standing human fascination with transmuting base metals into gold and the historical pursuit of alchemy. They note the irony that while physicists can now technically achieve this transformation, it's completely impractical and serves no real purpose other than scientific understanding.
One commenter questions the phrasing of the title, suggesting it's misleading because it implies a large-scale conversion. They argue that the title should emphasize the minuscule amounts and the purely scientific nature of the observation.
There's a brief discussion on the potential applications of the research. While gold production is ruled out, some suggest that the understanding gained from studying these high-energy nuclear reactions could have implications for other areas of nuclear physics or materials science. However, no specific applications are discussed in detail.
Finally, a few comments offer corrections or clarifications to previous comments, ensuring the scientific accuracy of the discussion. For example, one comment clarifies the specific isotopes of lead and gold involved in the reaction.