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As elemental identity is determined solely by the number of protons in the nucleus of a given atom, the only way an atom can change its elemental identity is by changing the number of protons in its nucleus. It can do this by certain types of nuclear decay or by certain types of nuclear absorbtion.
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∙ 15y ago
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∙ 12y agoAn element will change into another element if the number of protons in its nucleus changes. This can not be done by ordinary chemical means (heating, mixing, etc.). Element change occurs naturally by radioactive elements. For example, radioactive Uranium naturally spits out two protons and two neutrons (called alpha radiation) and changes into Thorium. (The neutron number does not effect what element something is).
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∙ 9y agoYes, elements can change, but it takes either nuclear fusion (addition of protons) or nuclear decay (loss of protons) for this to happen. Both processes involve the absorption then radiation of a great deal of energy and can be quite dangerous to be around. Nuclear fusion is the process by which the sun radiates thermal energy to the Earth - hydrogen atoms are being fused into helium and other heavier elements. Nuclear decay is the process by which radioactive materials decay into nonradioactive materials.
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∙ 13y agoProtons. (same as the atomic number)
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∙ 12y agoa chemical change
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∙ 9y agoBy its Atomic Number.
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∙ 12y agoThe number of protons in its nucleus.
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∙ 7y agoThrough nuclear fusion of fission.
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Why did alchemists fail to create gold?
Gold is an element. It is impossible to change one element into another by chemical means. It is possible to do so via nuclear reactions, but alchemists did not know about such things.
What happens in a single-replacement reaction-?
One element takes the place of another in a compound.
Can you change one element into another using an ordinary chemical reaction?
No, this was the alchemist's dream for centuries, but we know better now.
What happens if you change the number of protons of an element?
The element transforms itself into another element because each element have a specific number of protons. If the number of protons changes, the element changes as well. The number of protons in an atom defines it elemental identity, so if the number of protons in an element increases by one it becomes another element. Although this reference doesn't really provide a direct answer, it does provide additional information that might be of interest: http://www.answers.com/topic/proton
Can inexpensive metals be changed into real gold?
No, it is not possible to change one element into another.
Does plutonium change its element when melted if so to what?
No. Melting does not change one element into another.
What property must be change to change an element into another element?
to make one element a different element, all you need to do is have a different number of protons
Is heat required to change one element into another?
yes
What kind of decay can change one element to another kind of element?
That would be radioactive decay.
Does the number of outermost electrons in an atom change from one isotope of an element to another?
No.
In which process is an element of matter changed into a completely different element?
It's called transmutation. There are two types of transmutation. Natural transmutation is when an element naturally changes into another element. Artificial transmutation is when an element is forced to change into another element, usually done in a laboratory setting.
Why is a transmutation calssified as a nuclear reaction?
because that's what it takes to change one element to another, a change to the nucleus.
What do you call the change of one chemical element into another through nuclear reaction?
answer TRANSMUTATION
If the number of protons in an atom changes a new element is formed?
The changing of one element into another, called transmutation, involves a change in the nucleus of the atom. And the number of protons in the nucleus must change for one element to become another one. It is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom that determines what element that atom is, and only a change in the proton count will herald the change of one element into another. The neutron count may or may not change in transmutation, but be assured that the number of protons will change.
The change of one chemical element into another from nuclear fusion?
Hydrogen (as isotopes deuterium and tritium) would change into helium
Why did alchemists fail to create gold?
Gold is an element. It is impossible to change one element into another by chemical means. It is possible to do so via nuclear reactions, but alchemists did not know about such things.
Atoms of one element change in to atoms of another element during chemical reactions?
During chemical reactions atoms remain unchanged.
