I got this question through my website now twice. It was funny to me at first...of course you cant make gold. I answered that you cant make gold. I was then informed that the person was told elsewhere that there are ways to make gold (I assume the person was talking about alchemy or something). When I answered again saying he was misled, he then asked WHY he couldnt make gold, and if he CANT make gold, how does gold come about in nature? So I thought I would make a thread about it so, if someone is searching for a real answer besides just 'no', they might find it here. This may seem funny to you, but it seems many people do not know WHY one cant brew up a batch of gold in a lab...its not the first time I have seen someone ask where gold comes from. Gold, and all other metals used for coins, does not come about on earth by a natural processes. It is here in a finite amount from the beginning of earths formation like all other metals. The conditions do not exist on earth to create gold, silver, Iron, nickel, platinum, copper and zinc. These metals are elements, molecules that can be combines and broken down. On the Periodic table of elements they are all classified as 'transition elements' Just as a quick explanation. There are, I think, 118 elements on the chart, Iron and nickel being 26 and 28 respectively, Gold down at 79 and platinum at 78. The numbers given to an element on the chart refers to how many protons are present in one atom of this element...generally speaking all elements have a proton count and a neutron count (as well as an electron count)...all except hydrogen, the most abundant element which does not have a neutron, just a proton and electron. The combination and number of proton, electrons and neutrons give the atom its properties. Elements are created in a stars, one of the few places in the universe where conditions exist naturally to turn one elements into another. Most of a star is made up of Hydrogen which is considered a primal element created in the big bang...this might be just theory as to how hydrogen comes about but the fact of the matter is, it is the most basic element followed by Helium and from it comes all other elements. The conditions in a star are such that hydrogen will react and bond through fission creating other elements down the chart like helium all the way to Iron. It is postulated that as a star burns and its elements combine taking on more neutrons and protons getting heavier, the end result is atoms getting heavier and heavier until you have iron and nickel...two of the more abundant metals. They are the final process of what is called Stellar Neucleosynthesis. This is why iron and nickel are so abundant in meteorites. When a star gets to this stage, its mass become so great that it collapses and this results in a reaction even greater, a super nova. From a super nova atoms again react and combine and you get the higher element past nickel and iron like silver and gold....all element past iron and nickel are thought to come about in supernovas. A good bit of these elements can be found in the human body, here is a chart that tells what elements are in the human body if you were to break down your body into its elemental components: Oxygen 65 Carbon 18 Hydrogen 10 Nitrogen 3 Calcium 1.5 Phosphorus 1.2 Potassium 0.2 Sulfur 0.2 Chlorine 0.2 Sodium 0.1 Magnesium 0.05 Iron, Cobalt, Copper, Zinc, Iodine <0.05 each Selenium, Fluorine <0.01 each for a full listing go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_makeup_of_the_human_body here are the most abundant elements in the universe: Hydrogen Helium Oxygen Carbon Neon Iron Nitrogen Silicon Magnesium Sulfur Of the elements, the more rare are those created in a super nova...and among those are what we call precious metals...they are all past iron in the list and come about in more extreme conditions. So in essence...you cant and probably never will (never say never I guess) be able to set up some beakers, mix some chemicals and turn iron into gold. Its just not how the process works. You need fast moving atoms colliding with each other, going through a process of fission and fusion for iron to take on more protons, electrons, and neutrons.... This also is why Gold is more valuable than iron. There is far less gold than iron by nature...same with silver, copper, etc...each element has its unique combination of properties that dictate how it will react with other elements, some far more stable than other, like iron will react with oxygen very easily while gold will not. There is only a finite amount of these elements on earth as they do not come about here but have existed here since the earth was formed...when we have found all the gold on earth...thats it. This ties in a bit to my cleaning coins ramble as knowing what you are cleaning is an element, knowing what that element does and doesnt react or bond with helps to know how one can proceed and what might cause certain discolorations and corrosion. So remember, the gold in your gold coin was created in a super nova, traveled to earth long ago, someone found it, and minted a pretty picture on it...all our coins originated in a star far away. I know probably a lot of you know all this...but I just thought I would post it as it IS a question I have been asked in the past, and once just recently. If I have made nay errors or you have something to add, feel free...this thread can be searched, found, and a person can find all the information they need on this issue in one stop.
Drusus: Interesting essay and along way to answer the question: "he then asked WHY he couldnt make gold" The simple answer: "Cause ya can't" would have sufficed.
That would just leave it open because no reason is given and they dont understand why they cant brew some up...and he would go elsewhere asking the same question and fall prey to a scam selling way to make gold (they are out there). Its better if you can get a person to understand the nature of atoms and elements so they know WHY they cant...
If they can't understand the simple explaination, how could they even read the above? Just kidding: nice essay.
great write up...i would have advised him/her to head west. i still dream of the day when i have the kahones to sell all my tangible assets/belongings and use the proceeds to purchase the rights to a claim and live out my days golding.
Very interesting read. It is sort of an answer to the big philosophical question: "where did we come from?" from a gold coin's perspective! Thanks again.
Contrary to what many believe, science does now have the ability to transmutate other metals like lead into gold. However, the process cost far more than the value of the gold that would be created. Also, gold can be extracted from ordinary seawater. But again, the cost of the process makes it not worth the effort.
From what i have learned on the History channel, sci-fi channel, discovery channel and the like is this... Our sun, in our galaxy is such that the heaviest element IT can produce is Iron. This does not mean, however, that a heavier, larger or more dense sun could not make a heavier element. Wouldnt it be kinda cool to finda sun that could produce gold i wonder what its mass would have to be, if even possible.
yeah, I was going to mention that, it is possible to create new elements (or ones previously unknown to us) and change atomic structure but it would be so cost restrictive as not to be worth the effort, plus there are other problems that have to be over come to make the element stable. It was explained to me in complex terms the problems that present themselves trying to make gold. Again though, it is nothing one can do in a beaker with chemicals... For instance the Element Californium which has a half life of 44 minutes has a $27 million per gram price tag, only 8 grams of 252Cf have been made. It is produced from plutonium. This process is far easier and cheaper than it would be to make gold from lead or iron... Through particle acceleration, elements that were previously unknown have been discovered...elements that exist for mere minutes and seconds during a reaction like supernova. These elements only exist for the small amount of time that the reaction is taking place (hours, minutes and seconds in time before decay) thus they do not exist on earth and can only be recorded in a supernova or after certain reactions produced in a supercollider or a nuclear reaction As for gold from seawater...gold can be extracted from many things even a human being as we have trace amounts of gold within us as well....
last time I looked into it, the price tag was far larger than that not to mention a problem with instability and a rapid decay rate, but that was some time ago and maybe it has changed. Do you have a link for that price tag, just curious. Either way...you cant make gold in your basement unless you have a particle accelerator or a super nova and a lot of extra cash that far exceeds the worth of gold. Both times I was asked this question, it was from people in India...I believe maybe there are people who might say they have a way to change iron or lead to gold and are willing to sell it to them I have only taken chemistry in college so I, like many, only know what I can fathom from others I have asked in more of a position to know and a general knowledge of the nature of atoms.
You beat me to the comment (by about 3 hours so I can't complain). I believe that field of science is called Nuclear Chemistry now, but don't quote me on that.
Drusus. I have to admit to you that when I saw your name in this thread I looked because I new I would see some great photography like I always do when I see your post. This time I did not however it was a good read thanks for posting it. THE OTHER BRUCE.
My ex-fiance is a Nuclear Physicist, I'll ask her input on this. If gravitons can ever be harnessed, I'd say things might get interesting.
Seems like it would be easier to afvance technology to extract the gold we already have than to find ways to produce it. Unless I read wrong once, less than 1% of the earth's surface minerals are within reach with current technology. Imagine how much gold lies in the mantle and lower crust layers. Because it's weight dictates it will gravitate to the lowest possible place it can, it only makes sense that what is on the minable surface crust is a mere dusting compared to whats below. The future of hard metals isn't in the lab...it's finding a way to go deeper cheaper. Guy~
Well, you should have just told the person to send Jack up the Bean Stalk to steal the Goose that lays Golden Eggs and been done with it! Frank
What about dilithium crystals? nice post glade to see the added yes you can make gold no it cost way too much and oh its not even stable. gold gold gold fev ahh ahh ahh LOL
