Can elements be changed into another substance?

Answer 1

Yes, its called transmutation. It is the process by which one element changes into another. This can only be done with a nuclear reaction, but alchemists once believed it might be possible, for example, to transmute lead into gold. They tried many bizarre things, but were never successful. Only nuclear reactions, such as fusion, fission, radioactive decay, etc, can induce a transmutation.

Alpha decay is a kind of radioactive decay in which an alpha particle is emitted from an atom. An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons. Therefore, when an atom of an element undergoes alpha decay, it loses two protons, which changes the atom from one element to another. This is because each different element is identified by the number of protons in its atomic nuclei.

Answer 2

Alpha decay is a kind of radioactive decay in which an alpha particle is emitted from an atom. An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons. Therefore, when an atom of an element undergoes alpha decay, it loses two protons, which changes the atom from one element to another. This is because each different element is identified by the number of protons in its atomic nuclei.

Answer 3

A chemical element is defined by the number of protons in its nucleus. There are circumstances where the number of protons can change, and thus another element can be created. But these processes are all nuclear transformations. Radioactive decay is one way that one element can change into another.

Answer 4

Yes; there are three main processes by which elements may change into other elements: nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, and radioactive decay.

Nuclear fission is a process by which atoms break apart, producing atoms of different, less massive elements (e.g. fission of Uranium-236 to form Krypton-92 and Barium-141). Fission seldom occurs in nature, but may occur when some isotopes gain an extra neutron (²³⁵U + n → ²³⁶U), and is also the process used in nuclear reactors.

Nuclear fusion is a process by which atoms or nuclei fuse together to form more massive elements (e.g. fusion of deuterium and tritium to form helium). Fusion occurs at extremely high pressures, such as the cores of stars, and generates a large portion of the energy found in our universe.

Radioactive decay is a process by which an unstable element or isotope disintegrates by emitting nuclear radiation (alpha decay, positive, negative beta decay, others) and forming a more stable element or isotope. A common example of radioactive decay is the alpha decay of Polonium-210 into Lead-206 (as part of the Uranium-238 series).

Answer 5

yes...but in a nuclear reactor - not by chemistry

Answer 6

Yes, but only in nuclear reactions.

yes, nuclear fusion, and other radioactive reactions can change the number of protons

Answer 7

I guess, if yuo remove the protons or electrons in it. You dont need to remove the neutrons

Answer 8

only radioactive ones