Fast Facts
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Researchers at the Large Hadron Collider discovered that lead ions can briefly transform into gold through ultraperipheral collisions, marking a significant event in modern alchemy.
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This phenomenon occurs when lead ions graze each other, allowing high-energy photons to knock out protons, resulting in the temporary formation of gold nuclei.
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The study revealed production rates of gold nuclei comparable to common collision rates, suggesting these transformations happen more frequently than previously thought.
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Future analyses aim to expand this research to further understand nuclear structures and enhance the efficiency of collider operations, ultimately benefiting advanced particle physics experiments.
Lead Transformed Into Gold: Science Breaks Boundaries
On July 30, 2025, scientists achieved what many deemed impossible. Researchers at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), located beneath the French-Swiss border, successfully transformed lead ions into gold. This remarkable feat occurred during ultraperipheral collisions, where ions passed close to each other without touching. Instead of crashing, these ions emitted high-energy photons that caused momentary changes in their structure. Notably, a lead-208 nucleus lost three protons, briefly transforming into gold-205 and then decaying back into ordinary matter. The researchers observed this transformation in a flash, marking a significant leap in our understanding of nuclear interactions.
According to the findings, each collision at the LHC could yield moments where lead ions quietly become gold. This process happens far more frequently than experts anticipated, revealing a new aspect of particle physics. Moreover, beyond just gold, these near-miss collisions can also produce other valuable isotopes like mercury and platinum. While the immediate commercial applications may seem limited, this research has broader implications for future particle collider designs. Understanding these transformations could lead to improved safety protocols and efficiency in billion-dollar facilities, ensuring that science continues to push the boundaries of what we know.
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