0
As heavier elements are formed by fusion a massive star expands into?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Explain how heavier elements are formed from hydrogen within the core of a star?
Nuclear fusion
Why is iron the heaviest element that can be formed in stars?
It isn't. Heavier elements are formed in stars as well. Iron is basically the heaviest element for which energy can be gained. When converting iron into heavier elements, energy is lost. However, this doesn't stop supernovae, at a temperature of about one gigakelvin (a billion degrees), to form heavier elements. In fact, the interior of stars is practically the ONLY way such elements can be formed.
How are most of the elements with nuclei heavier than those of hydrogen and helium formed?
Well, Helium is an element, and "substance" can mean a combination of elements and compounds... which are formed according to their chemical properties. Assuming you were asking about pure elements, rather than substances, all elements up to Iron-56 are formed by nuclear fusion, presumably inside of stars. This is due to to Iron-56 being the most stable nucleus in the periodic table. Hydrogen-1 forms Helium-4, Helium combines to form Beryllium-8, Carbon-12, and Oxygen-16. And so on.... up to Iron-56. Fusion of heavier compounds will not result in excess energy (e.g. a star's heat and light) so those nuclear reactions will not sustain a star. Therefore, all elements heavier then Iron-56 are formed by the extraordinary conditions of a super nova. Because earth has abundant elements heavier than Iron-56, it is thought that the matter in our Solar System has been through several solar cycles... In other words, "we are all made of stars".
Explain how the heavier elements such as iron are produced in astrophysical processes?
Heavier atoms which could not be formed as a result of fusion are produced as the result of a star that has run out of fuel exploding. It essentially forces atoms which do not release energy to fuse together.
Where are the heaviest nuclei of all formed?
Elements heavier than iron are formed through the fusion reaction in stars when a supernova occurs. The lighter elements up through iron are formed in "regular" stellar fusion, and this is what powers most stars throughout their lives. A lot of energy is created in the fusion reactions, and this is why stars "burn" the way they do. But after iron, fusion switches from exothermic to endothermic. That means energy must be put into the fusion reaction to create these heavier elements, and only when a super abundance of energy is available, like during the collapse of a star in a supernova, is there sufficient energy to drive those fusion reactions. All the trans-iron elements up through uranium are created in the supernova.
As heavier elements are formed by fusion a massive star expands into a what?
A super giant
What happens when heavier elements are formed by fusion then a massive star expands?
yes as heavy elements are used for fuel the star expands this is what will happen to the earth it will swell to a red giant engulfing the inner 3 planets as it slowly dies
Is iron likely to be formed in the sun?
Not in our Sun, but heavy elements up to and including iron are formed in very massive suns (stars). Elements heavier than iron are formed with suns die in a supernova.
What elements are formed in cool stars?
Elements that are formed in cool stars are heavy but not heavier than iron. (Elements that are heavier than iron are formed in a supernova.)
How are elements heavier than iron are formed?
Elements heavier than iron are formed in super-nova explosions.
The heavier elements in the universe were formed by .?
They were formed in supernovae.
What heavier elements in the universe were formed by what?
They were formed in supernovae.
How are elements heavier than hydrogen formed?
They are formed inside of stars.
What are the heavier elements in this universe formed by?
a series of stars
What is the relationship between the periodic table and a supernova?
The elements on the periodic table were created by stars through nuclear fusion. We use the term stellar nucleosynthesis to describe what stars are doing through fusion. Stars fuse hydrogen into helium, and then start making heavier elements by a different fusion process. But stars can only make elements up through iron. They can't make the heavier elements. Enter the supernova. A supernova is that "big blast" that occurs at the end of the life of some stars. In a supernova, the trans-iron elements are formed. That is, all the elements heavier than iron are formed in a supernova. Because the elements heavier than iron are formed in a supernova, we can say that there is a relationship between the supernova and the periodic table of elements.
What is the heavier elements in the universe formed by?
a series of star cycles
How are elements with nuclei larger than iron nuclei formed?
Supernova form heavier elements
