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Formation of Heavy Elements

1. Stars shine through nuclear fusion, forming heavier elements over their lifetime. 2. Early in the universe, light elements like hydrogen and helium formed via Big Bang nucleosynthesis. Later, within stars, nuclear fusion through processes like the triple-alpha process and CNO cycle produced heavier elements up to iron. 3. Stars evolve through different stages, including main sequence, red giant, planetary nebula, and supernova, with heavier elements produced at each stage through stellar nucleosynthesis before the star dies.

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Dawn Aranador
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120 views30 pages

Formation of Heavy Elements

1. Stars shine through nuclear fusion, forming heavier elements over their lifetime. 2. Early in the universe, light elements like hydrogen and helium formed via Big Bang nucleosynthesis. Later, within stars, nuclear fusion through processes like the triple-alpha process and CNO cycle produced heavier elements up to iron. 3. Stars evolve through different stages, including main sequence, red giant, planetary nebula, and supernova, with heavier elements produced at each stage through stellar nucleosynthesis before the star dies.

Uploaded by

Dawn Aranador
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MODULE 1:

FORMATION OF
HEAVY ELEMENTS
After going through this
module you are expected to:
1. Explain stellar nucleosynthesis;
2. Describe the different stages of life cycle of
stars;
3. Cite the different heavy elements formed in
each stages of star cycle.
I wonder how stars shine
like that.
Have you also wondered what stars are made of?
What keeps them shine so bright?
Are there also stars that do not spark?
You might also be a thinking the same questions ever
since you were little that until now you still seek
answers right?
Well this module will help you understand some
important concepts about stars.
Scientists believe that the formation of the
universe began through the explosion of a
primodial atom which happened 13 billion
years ago. It is known as the “Big Bang”.
It became a theory that also explains the
continuous expansion of the universe.
History of the Universe
Right after Big Bang, protons and
neutrons combined together and
formed light elements
HYDROGEN and HELIUM in the
process of Big Bang
Nucleosynthesis. Other light
elements such as Lithium and
Beryllium were also formed
during process.
Big Bang Nucleosynthesis
Stellar Nucleosynthesis
Stella means star and formation of
elements in the center of the star is
called stellar nucleosynthesis.
Carl Sagan said that “We are made
of star stuff.”
The density inside a star is great
enough to sustain fusion for
extended time
periods required
to synthesize
Heavy elements.
Stars are hot and dense enough to burn
Hydrogen -1 (1H) to Helium-4 (4He).
Heavy elements were
formed by fusion of
lighter nuclei in the
interior of stars.
This process is
Stellar nucleosynthesis.
.
Layers near core of stars have
very high temperatures
enough to nucleosynthesize heavy
elements such as
silicon and iron.
.
There are many nuclear synthetic
pathways or nuclear fusions to produce
heavy elements:
1. Triple Alpha process
2. Carbon Nitrogen Oxygen (CNO)
cycle
3. Alpha ladder
.
Triple Alpha process

Alpha particles refer to 4He, so this


reaction involves
the fusion of three 4He atoms.
.
Triple Alpha process
.
CARBON NITROGEN OXYGEN
(CNO) Cycle

Uses 12 C as a catalyst to form more


4He in larger or hotter main- sequence
stars.
.
CARBON NITROGEN OXYGEN
(CNO) Cycle
.
ALPHA LADDER

As the fusion of elements with 4He


continues, heavier elements are created
all the way to Iron.
This makes the sun more
massive.
.
ALPHA LADDER
Hints/Clues
Average star:
The star is unable to generate heat when it
runs out of hydrogen and its core leading to its
contraction and expansion. It cools down and
glows red. The Helium fused into Carbon. The
star is now RED GIANT.
Hints/Clues
Red giant star becomes exhausted of
nuclear fuel, the outer material is blown
off into space leaving the inert Carbon.
The remnant is known as WHITE
DWARF.
Hints/Clues
Giant cloud of gas and dust known as
NEBULA.
It is formed from nebula due to gravity that
pulled Hydrogen gas together until it spins
faster and faster and becomes ignited. A
PROTOSTAR rises.
Hints/Clues
MAIN SEQUENCE STAR starts to form
when nuclear fusion occurs at the core of the
star, it begins to contract, glow and become
stable. Hydrogen is covered into Helium.
Hints/Clues
This is said to be remain of the white dwarf
that cooled down and no longer emits light
and heat. The hypothetical BLACK
DWARF.
Hints/Clues
MASSIVE STAR

It is believed that a NEUTRON STAR is


formed from supernova explosion. This is
also the smallest star.
Hints/Clues
BLACK HOLE is a region in space
where gravity is too strong that no
matter can escape from it.
Hints/Clues
Explosion of star or SUPERNOVA
releases large amount of energy.
Because of that, elements are
dispersed into the space.
Hints/Clues
A more massive main sequence star
evolves, cools and expands faster than
low mas star will turn into RED
SUPER GIANT star, the largest known
star. Carbon fusion still occurs and
Oxygen formed.

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