The transformed metal existed for only a fraction of a second before being destroyed, but it could give researchers more information about how atoms change.

Physicists turned lead into gold. However, it existed for only a fraction of a second before being destroyed, according to the journal Nature.

Using a particle accelerator at CERN, researchers fired lead atoms at each other.

Instead of colliding, they passed each other slightly, and their interaction created a high-energy impulse.

This led to the ejection of three protons from the lead atoms, forming gold.

A total of only 29 trillionths of a gram of gold was produced — not enough for jewelry. But thanks to this, physicists can learn more about the interaction and transformation of particles. | BGNES