Nuclear fusion to make gold (5 of 6 images). Comp- uter simulation of the fusion of copper & lanthan- um nuclei to make gold. Each type of nucleus has

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Nuclear fusion to make gold (5 of 6 images). Comp- uter simulation of the fusion of copper & lanthan- um nuclei to make gold. Each type of nucleus has a specific number of positively-charged particles (protons). Gold has 79 protons, lanthanum 57 & copper 29. The lanthanum & copper nuclei have collided & fused to make a radon nucleus (86 protons). The radon nucleus is unstable & is becoming distorted as it begins to split up (fission). A gold nucleus may be formed as this nucleus splits. Image produced at the Large Heavy Ion Accelerator (GANIL) facility, Caen, France. (See also images A130/019 to A130/022, & A130/024).

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Size: 4947px × 3543px
Photo credit: © PHILIPPE PLAILLY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: atomic, collision, copper-lanthanum, fusion, ganil, lanthanum-copper, nuclear, nuclei, nucleus, particle, physics, reaction, simul., simulation