0
As helium builds up in the sun's core, other fusion reactions occur. Over time, two or more helium nuclei can fuse, forming beryllium. Another helium nucleus can fuse with a beryllium nucleus, forming carbon, and so on. Stars the size of the sun do not contain enough energy to produce elements heavier than oxygen. But larger stars do.
The Sun isn't making those elements; what of them exist are the result of production in other stars. Currently, the Sun makes only helium, which, although it's really a gas, was named "sun metal."
Edit: The Sun will make heavier elements later, but only up to oxygen. The way stars like the Sun make carbon and oxygen is by nuclear fusion. This is the same way they make helium from hydrogen. This process of making elements is called nucleosynthesis. The details can get quite technical, but the basic idea is
that one atomic nucleus combines with another to produce the nucleus of a new element.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoThey don't. But stars do produce Beryllium, Carbon and Oxygen. Stars start with Hydrogen, which undergoes atomic fusion, and produces Helium. As helium builds up in the sun's core, other fusion reactions occur. Over time, two or more helium nuclei can fuse, forming beryllium. Another helium nucleus can fuse with a beryllium nucleus, forming carbon, and so on. Stars the size of the sun do not contain enough energy to produce elements heavier than oxygen.
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoThey do not. Stars such as the sun are made almost entirely of hydrogen and helium and are powered by the nuclear fusion of hydrogen. Beryllium, oxygen, and carbon are only minor components,.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What other Planets in Our Galaxy have enough Oxygen to Sustain Human Life?
If a star system has planets, the availability of oxygen on a given planet is a complicated process. If the planet is of the correct size and in the ecosphere of the star, the production of oxygen will occur through the existence of plant life that will convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. In a primordial planet like an earth, oxygen is not going to be an element that is naturally occurring. The compound carbon dioxide is. It takes plant life to produce an atmoshpere that will sustain animal life.The odds of this happening in a given star system are low, but possible.
What forms when helium nuclei combine?
If the central temperature of a star exceeds 100 million Kelvins, as may happen in the later phase of red giants (stars) and red supergiants, then helium can fuse to form beryllium and then carbon.
Why would white dwarf stars have less amount hydrogen?
A white dwarf is the remnant of a star that has fused all the hydrogen and helium in its core, leaving mostly carbon and oxygen nuclei.
Where is beryllium formed in stars?
Helium and metals (which basically means any element heavier than helium) are formed in the star's core.
Does a heavy or light star produce heavier elements?
the weight of the star doesn't matter.
How the elements beryllium carbon and oxygen produces stars such as the sun?
It is not specifically those elements which "produce stars". Whatever elements happen to be around clump together, through gravity, and form the star.
Where is oxygen in space?
Mostly in planetary nebulae where a star that was big enough to produce oxygen when it exploded is.
What other Planets in Our Galaxy have enough Oxygen to Sustain Human Life?
If a star system has planets, the availability of oxygen on a given planet is a complicated process. If the planet is of the correct size and in the ecosphere of the star, the production of oxygen will occur through the existence of plant life that will convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. In a primordial planet like an earth, oxygen is not going to be an element that is naturally occurring. The compound carbon dioxide is. It takes plant life to produce an atmoshpere that will sustain animal life.The odds of this happening in a given star system are low, but possible.
How are the elements carbon nitrogen and oxygen produced in stars like the sun?
These fusion (carbon , nitrogen , and oxygen) reactions form nuclei of sightly heavier elements.
What unlikely fusion takes place in the stars that produces carbon?
Formation of the carbon atomic nucleus requires a three way collision of helium nuclei (alpha particles within the core of a giant or supergiant star. These three helium nuclei are converted into carbon by means of the triple-alpha process. [See link] This carbon is then scattered into space when the star explodes as a supernova. For smaller stars the Bethe-Weizsäcker-cycle or CNO cycle (carbon-nitrogen-oxygen) [See link] , is one of two sets of fusion reactions by which stars convert hydrogen to helium. In the CNO cycle, four protons fuse using carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotopes as a catalyst to produce one alpha particle, two positrons and two electron neutrinos. The carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen isotopes are in effect one nucleus that goes through a number of transformations in an endless loop.
How is carbon synthesized?
On Earth carbon is not synthesized, we have what we have.In the Sun carbon is not synthesized.In red giant stars carbon is synthesized by nuclear fusion of 3 helium nuclei to produce 1 carbou nucleus. However this carbon will remain inside the star.
What is the name for a star that fuses hydrogen into helium?
Into heavier elements like carbon and oxygen.
What forms when helium nuclei combine?
If the central temperature of a star exceeds 100 million Kelvins, as may happen in the later phase of red giants (stars) and red supergiants, then helium can fuse to form beryllium and then carbon.
What process gives a star the mass of the sun a second life after it's hydrogen fusion stage is over?
As our sun (or a similar star) exhausts its hydrogen supply, it begins to fuse helium to create carbon. The reaction is sometimes called the tripple-alpha process. Wikipedia has particulars and a link is provided.
What is final core element for a solar like star?
The final elements fused in a star of the mass of our Sun are Oxygen then Carbon. Therefore a white dwarf core could be regarded as a solid, gigantic diamond.
Which gas do trees breathe out?
It gives off oxygen and takes in carbon dyoxide.
What element is made when you fuse 2 carbon molecules?
Actually fusing carbon, such as in a star will create one of several type of elements. In the vast majority of stars carbon is not fused at all, but depending on the star's mass carbon may fuse into neon, oxygen, magnesium, among a couple others. This happens in specific type of stars, at specific times in their lives. Fusing is different from chemical reactions. There are no chemical reactions that can make elements, but with nuclear transmutation you can do it. For example, in a star hydrogen is fused into helium, and sometimes helium into carbon.
