Have Humans Achieved a Form of Alchemy? CERN Scientists Turn Lead into Gold

Written by: Sam Orlando

STAUNTON, VIRGINIA - In a groundbreaking scientific achievement, physicists at CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) have managed to transmute lead into gold, a centuries-old dream of alchemists. This feat was accomplished not by smashing particles head-on as usual, but through near-miss interactions of lead nuclei at speeds approaching the speed of light.

These near collisions produced powerful electromagnetic fields that stripped three protons from the lead's 82-proton nucleus, briefly creating gold nuclei with 79 protons. Using the ALICE Zero Degree Calorimeters, researchers detected and analyzed roughly 86 billion gold nuclei generated during four major experiments. Despite this large number, the actual amount of gold created was only 29 picograms and lasted for just a fraction of a second, making it scientifically notable but economically insignificant.

This marks the first systematic detection and analysis of gold production at the LHC, further emphasizing the collider's role in advancing our understanding of particle physics and the fundamental structure of matter .

The Process: Electromagnetic Dissociation

The transformation occurred through a process known as electromagnetic dissociation. When two lead nuclei race through the LHC at nearly the speed of light, they sometimes just miss each other. Instead of colliding head-on, they pass close enough to trigger intense electromagnetic forces. These interactions can generate bursts of energy that change the very identity of atomic nuclei, including turning lead into gold .

Implications and Future Prospects

While the amount of gold produced is minuscule and the process is not economically viable, the experiment is a milestone in nuclear physics. It demonstrates the ability to induce nuclear transmutation through electromagnetic interactions, providing insights into nuclear structures and the forces at play within atomic nuclei. This achievement also resonates with the age-old quest of alchemists to turn base metals into gold, symbolizing humanity's enduring drive to understand and manipulate the fundamental components of matter.

Backyard Alchemy: A Reality Check

For those inspired to replicate this experiment at home, it's important to note that the process requires a 17-mile-long particle accelerator and conditions that mimic the early universe. While backyard alchemy remains in the realm of fantasy, this scientific breakthrough brings us one step closer to understanding the building blocks of our universe.