Thread: Idea behind the Philosophers Stone

So i am curious as to what people think about the Philosopher's Stone idea. Will we ever discover how to make gold consistently? What would it mean for the world if we did? And, does anybody have any ideas of possible ways to make gold with cost effectiveness in mind?

An object that can change one type of element into another, such as lead into gold?

It's a magical concept, not even science fiction but pure fantasy.

It doesn't belong in the Chemistry sub-forum. That's for sure. Moved.

In theory the effects could be replicated using quantum engineering (or whatever the appropriate phrase would be) if it was ever possible to develop the technology to modify the number of protons and neutrons in an individual atom. Preferably in a way that doesn't either require as much energy as a nuclear explosion would need, or create such an explosion.

So we're talking either fission or fusion.

I have seen that it is possible to be able to make Mercury into gold. i was just wondering if it would be possible to do for us to do it most likely with fusion to make gold with lighter elements. And could that be a double benefit if we can also harness the energy released?

Or perhaps it would take way to much energy to be able to fuse an element of such mass, for it to not be worth it.

I have seen that it is possible to be able to make Mercury into gold.

No you haven't.

Mercury is used to extract gold that is already there.

Why Is Mercury Used In Gold Mining And Why Is It A Problem

Perhaps one day we could grow gold from crystals in containers. That might take some time to grow them but the same process also could be used for other elements one day. The main thing is that you must start with the same element that you want to aquire. As I said this could happen one day.

You guys need to get out more. We've been able to convert other elements to gold for some time.

For example Glen Seaborg produced gold from bismuth back in 1980 by removing protons and neutrons. Soviet researchers found some of the lead shielding in an experimental reactor has been turned to gold. Adelady is mistaken - mercury can and has been converted to gold, both by neutron spallation and within a nuclear reactor, by more than one method.

The point is that the yield on all of these is low and the cost is high - so no impact on the world other than a better understanding of nuclear processes.

Good news. Gold is now easier to find at least in Australia. Pick some leaves and process them.

Gold found growing in eucalyptus trees in world-first CSIRO research - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Very interesting, i had not heard about the other examples of people being able to make gold. On the Soviet discovery, if that is the case i think it would be worth looking into developing that technology. If we can get energy and inadvertently create gold in the process it would make the person who patients that design a lot of money.

Unless it the energy requirements to create gold are more expensive than the value of the amount of gold that is produced.

The gold would just be a byproduct, using the reactor for energy would be the main purpose.

This topic should not be in Pseudoscience. If i had worded my beginning argument correctly this would not have been pushed off as crap so lightly.

Moved back to chemistry.

If all matter on earth is simply different combinations of the elements we already have. Why is it so hard to rearrange these elements to become the element we want?

Originally Posted by Raziell

If all matter on earth is simply different combinations of the elements we already have. Why is it so hard to rearrange these elements to become the element we want?

Because chemistry is not Lego.

Here would be the relevant Wiki on synthesis of precious metals; Synthesis of precious metals - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Is the philosophers stone similar to writers block?

It's important to note that if you did find a way to cheaply synthesize gold, it would rapidly diminish in value.

I may diminish in value, but with gold being a top class conductor it would mean that all of our electronics could use it and also be much cheaper than they currently are.

Elements can transmute naturally by radioactive decay or particle bombardment.

Radium decays into Radon which then decays into Lead etc.

Nuclear reactor or accelerator-yes but too expensive.  SOME MAGIC ROCK--NO

yea, its already been established that magic doesn't exist and some rock can change the makeup of other elements.

The idea behind the philosopher's stone is pretty shady, depending on where the sun is in the sky.

Originally Posted by shlunka

Is the philosophers stone similar to writers block?

How so?

Originally Posted by shlunka

Is the philosophers stone similar to writers block?

I think I passed a philosopher's stone once. As it happened, I shouted, "Why meeeeee?!"

how about a trip back to pseudoscience or at least wonderland

wonderland sounds nice

Originally Posted by fizzlooney

how about a trip back to pseudoscience or at least wonderland

The philosopher's stone sounds more like magic than pseudoscience.