In a groundbreaking achievement at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, physicists have successfully transformed lead into gold through high-speed particle collisions, marking a significant milestone in nuclear physics. The transformation, though lasting only a fraction of a second, was observed during experiments with the ALICE detector.
The remarkable process involves removing three protons from a lead nucleus, which naturally contains 82 protons, through a method called electromagnetic dissociation. During this process, intense electromagnetic fields generated by accelerated lead nuclei cause the ejection of protons, effectively transforming lead into gold with its characteristic 79 protons.
Between 2015 and 2018, during the LHC’s second operational phase, scientists produced approximately 86 billion gold nuclei. Despite this impressive number, the actual quantity of gold produced amounted to merely trillionths of a gram, highlighting both the precision and limitations of this scientific breakthrough.
The ALICE detector, a crucial component of this experiment, demonstrated exceptional capabilities in measuring these rare nuclear transmutations. The sophisticated equipment precisely analysed the protons and neutrons ejected during the high-energy collisions, providing valuable data about the transformation process.
ALICE spokesperson Marco Van Leeuwen emphasised the remarkable sensitivity of their detection systems, noting their ability to handle both massive particle collisions and minute interactions involved in nuclear transmutation processes. This dual capability represents a significant advancement in particle physics instrumentation.
The Large Hadron Collider’s primary mission extends beyond this transformation, focusing on recreating conditions similar to those present shortly after the Big Bang, particularly the state of matter known as quark-gluon plasma. This latest achievement, while not commercially viable for gold production, offers valuable insights into fundamental nuclear processes.
This scientific accomplishment stands in stark contrast to historical alchemical attempts at transforming base metals into gold. Unlike those mythical pursuits, this achievement relies on advanced nuclear physics and cutting-edge technology, demonstrating how far our understanding of matter has progressed. Funny how explaining this process to an alchemist back then would make you sound more like a magician to them, just like how we see them now. However, in the immortal words of Thor, magic is just science we can’t explain.
Looking ahead, this breakthrough could pave the way for further advances in nuclear physics. While the immediate applications remain within the realm of scientific research, the knowledge gained might eventually contribute to developments in fields such as energy production and medical applications.
The success of this experiment at CERN represents more than just a technical achievement; it symbolises humanity’s continuing quest to understand and manipulate matter at its most fundamental level, opening new possibilities for future scientific discoveries that even the Eric brothers would be proud of.
Source: Indian Defence Review
