/sci/ - Science & Math

If we know all atoms are made of protons, neutrons, and electrons we should be able to, mix em in the right amount, and make elements from scratch, right?

OK /sci/, I am filling out a job application form and am posed with this question:

What investments could (company) make to maximise its market position while maintaining a responsible risk profile? (the company specialises in commodity trading)

can /sci/ recommend any answers, or anywhere I can look to help me to answer this question well. I am obviously looking for a low risk, large profit investment, but don't know enough about this area to answer this question well.

background: I am a Maths/Stats grad applying for a trainee trading position and want to answer this question as well as possible, but have no experience in this area.

pic slightly related

What makes gold valuable (or diamonds or whatever)? Why do we attach value to them, and connect our currencies to them? How can they be used to measure wealth if you can just go dig up more? It seems weird to me that you could dig up some colored rocks or yellow metal and become more worth more

Modern day alchemy.

Using nuclear fusion to turn base metals into gold.

Thoughts?

Help me out here di/sci/ples. Why is this worth so much and why does society worship it? Why would you go out of your way to wear this stuff?

So is it possible to syntehsize Gold? I mean scientists are talking about (already making?) synthetic diamonds, but if it is possible how would it change the world? Would electronic products be cheaper? What else would be cheap?

Streaming The Physics of Radioactivity: Can you turn Lead into Gold? on stickam. Any takers? Account is Pokanon.

My friend and I always get into science related questions and conversations considering his father is a biologist and I just have a real interest in most fields of science.

More to the point we were arguing whether gold would make a better conductor than copper. I am not exactly sure where I originally heard it (probably science class) ,but I was pretty sure gold was the better conductor, or rather named a super conductor. Am I wrong?

hey /sci/, if you had $9k right now, what would you do with it?

I sold all my silver & after buying some chemistry labware, I have about $9k left.
I hate leaving cash in a checking account just sitting there because it's constantly being eaten away by inflation.

If I can't decide, I'll use it all to buy platinum or gold.