Since the atomic nucleus was first proposed in 1911, physicists simply assumed it was round. ​ But are the nuclei of atoms ...

Scientists have now pulled off the equivalent of real-life alchemy by turning lead into gold for just a few moments.

Bombard an atom with enough high-energy particles and it will eventually smash, splitting into two daughter nuclei of lower atomic number and releasing photons of energy in the process.

Carbon atoms have 6 protons and 6 neutrons in their nuclei, helium goes 2 for 2, though hydrogen has just the one proton and no neutrons. That makes it the smallest atom at a mere 106 picometers ...

Subtle quantum effects within atomic nuclei can dramatically affect how some nuclei break apart. By studying 100 isotopes ...

The thorium nuclei could then absorb these photons and ... Sensitive measurement of an atom's nucleus opens up a new way to learn about its properties and interactions with energy and the environment.

They aim to figure out how to use quantum computing – an emerging technology with enormous power, speed and potential – to simulate all the natural forces within an atom’s nucleus. But don’t we ...

The atom is neutral as it has two positive protons ... is the splitting of a large atomic nucleus into smaller nuclei. The fast-moving neutrons carry most of the energy from the reaction with ...

Therefore, in heavy nuclei, particularly those with atomic numbers ... Because the strong force is what holds an atom together, as well as ruling their actions at these short timescales, it ...

Many atomic nuclei have a magnetic field similar to that ... all but one of the initially 83 electrons must be stripped off the atom to generate the hydrogen-like system. The fragments circle ...

The ancient dream of turning lead into gold is now a reality – but it’s not quite what the alchemists might have hoped for.