2007-01-28 17:32:05 · 2 answers · asked by rina j 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Transmutation is changing an element into another element, such as from lead into gold. Artificial transmutation has been and is routinely performed in physics laboratories, most commonly through photoneutron process, where an gamma ray is used to knock out a neutron of the nucleus of an atom, converting it into an isotope which then decays into another element, as for example knocking a neutron from Mercury 198, converting it to Mercury isotope 197, which then decays to Gold isotope 197. Sometimes this is deliberate, such as the creation of new heavier elements not before listed in the periodic chart, sometimes it's a byproduct of another process, such as nuclear power generation.
2007-01-28 17:52:22 · answer #1 · answered by Scythian1950 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Transmutation is changing one element into another. If we shoot particles at atoms and cause them split or take on another particle it is artificial transmutation. When elements breakdown by natural radiation it is still transmutation.
2007-01-29 11:56:52 · answer #2 · answered by science teacher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋