Question: What would need to happen to change a lead atom into a gold atom?

context: Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one chemical element or an isotope into another chemical element. Because any element (or isotope of one) is defined by its number of protons (and neutrons) in its atoms, i.e. in the atomic nucleus, nuclear transmutation occurs in any process where the number of protons or neutrons in the nucleus is changed.
question: What more difficult process would need to happen to change a lead atom into a gold atom?
short_answers: nuclear transmutation
transmutation
context: It transpired that, under true nuclear transmutation, it is far easier to turn gold into lead than the reverse reaction, which was the one the alchemists had ardently pursued. Nuclear experiments have successfully transmuted lead into gold, but the expense far exceeds any gain. It would be easier to convert lead into gold via neutron capture and beta decay by leaving lead in a nuclear reactor for a long period of time.
question: What easier process would need to happen to change a lead atom into a gold atom?
short_answers: neutron capture and beta decay
neutron capture
beta decay

Answer: There are two different processes that can potentially change a lead atom into a gold atom. One process is nuclear transmutation, which is when the amount of protons or neutrons in an atom is changed. This changes the element because elements are defined by their number of protons and neutrons in its atom. While transmutation has successfully been used to turn lead into gold, it is far too expensive to provide any tangible benefit. The easier process to change lead to gold is neutron capture and beta decay, which is the process of one or more neutrons and a nucleus collide and merge to form a heavier nucleus.