2007-02-14 15:03:05 · 2 answers · asked by engot 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Actually, not only is it possible, it has been done. All you have to do is knock 3 protons out of the lead atom. The problem is it takes so much energy, the equipment is so costly (like an atomic collider), and the quantity produced is microscopic if not smaller. So it would take many, many thousands of dollars to produce gold worth a penny.
There was one case in the 1970's in the Soviet Union where they discovered the lead shielding in one of their nuclear reactors was accidentally being turned into gold. Others have done it intentionally in a laboratory setting by using particle accelerators.
2007-02-14 15:20:05 · answer #1 · answered by Now and Then Comes a Thought 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. Not at all. They are two seperate elements and cannot be interchanged.
2007-02-14 15:08:32 · answer #2 · answered by Dave 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋