Final answer:
Chemists and physicists have managed to add protons to atoms to create new elements through nuclear fusion and experimental nuclear physics, most commonly observed in the fusion processes within stars. Particle accelerators have also been used to create artificial elements by colliding nuclei at high energies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, chemists and physicists have indeed managed to add a proton to an atom to create a new element. This process is a fundamental principle of nuclear reactions and is responsible for the synthesis of heavier elements. The most common example of this process occurs naturally in the cores of stars, where hydrogen nuclei (protons) fuse under immense pressure and temperature to form helium—in particular, helium-4 (4He), which has two protons and two neutrons.
The creation of helium from hydrogen involves several steps. Initially, two protons combine, and one is converted to a neutron through a nuclear fusion process, resulting in a deuterium nucleus. Following this, another proton is added to deuterium to form helium-3. This is not the most abundant form of helium; helium-4, with an additional neutron, is more common both in the Sun's atmosphere and on Earth.
In experimental nuclear physics, similar processes have been used to create elements heavier than those found naturally on Earth. This has been achieved using particle accelerators to smash lighter nuclei together at high energies, effectively adding protons (and often neutrons) to create new elements. This type of artificial element synthesis has led to the creation of elements such as technetium and promethium, along with many superheavy elements not found in nature.