World’s Largest Collider Briefly Creates Gold from Lead Before Annihilation

Quick Summary

• Scientists at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) near Geneva produced gold nuclei by smashing lead atoms at 99.999993% the speed of light during experiments from 2015 to 2018.
• Approximately 86 billion gold nuclei were created, amounting to just 29 trillionths of a gram, which disintegrated almost instantly upon collision with the beam pipe.
• Gold production is less frequent than thallium or mercury but reached a maximum rate of around 89,000 nuclei per second in the LHC’s current third run due to increased energy levels.
• ALICE collaboration detectors enabled precise measurement and analysis of rare electromagnetic nuclear transmutation processes during these experiments.
• The Zero Degree Calorimeters (zdcs) of ALICE played a key role in detecting particle interactions and testing theoretical models related to beam losses affecting collider performance.

Image included:
!A photo of the Large Hadron Collider’s ALICE detector.

Indian Opinion Analysis

the study at CERN exemplifies how modern particle physics pushes boundaries onc thought unfeasible-historical alchemical goals such as turning lead into gold were achieved using cutting-edge technology. Though practically insignificant for material gold production, this achievement highlights advancements in precision detection systems like ALICE’s zdcs and their ability to explore fundamental questions about atomic behavior under extreme conditions.

For India, developments like these underscore opportunities for deeper collaboration with global scientific projects such as CERN’s research initiatives. Joining hands on similar experiments could bolster India’s stature in experimental physics and provide insights beneficial for developing advanced technologies locally. Beyond fostering technical expertise, such endeavors may also inspire future generations toward careers in science and innovation.

Read More