Chemical elements are formed in the Universe by stellar nucleosynthesis.
The presence of elements heavier than helium in stars is important because they provide crucial information about the star's age, composition, and evolutionary history. These heavier elements, also known as metals, are created through nuclear fusion processes in the cores of stars and are dispersed into space when the star dies. By studying the abundance of these elements in a star, scientists can gain insights into its formation and evolution.
Older age might account for it. As a star ages, it uses up the simplest elements (hydrogen . . . helium . . .) then starts fusing heavier and heavier elements. Our Sun will get to the point of fusing iron, which is pretty heavy, but the truly large stars out there will fuse elements much heavier than Iron. These heavier and heavier elements may account for some stars having more complex elements in their spectra.
Elements heavier than iron are formed in super-nova explosions.
They were formed in supernovae.
Heavier elements are formed through nuclear fusion reactions in the core of a star. Hydrogen atoms are fused together under high pressure and temperature to form helium. Further fusion reactions involving helium nuclei lead to the formation of heavier elements like carbon, oxygen, and up to iron. These elements are produced through a series of nuclear reactions that occur as the star evolves.
Lighter elements are composed of fewer protons and neutrons compared to heavier elements. They tend to have fewer total nucleons and lower atomic numbers. Lighter elements are typically found at the beginning of the periodic table, while heavier elements are found towards the end.
This process is known as nuclear fusion. It occurs in stars like the sun when lighter elements such as hydrogen are combined to form heavier elements like helium, releasing a large amount of energy in the process.
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.
Almost all solid elements are heavier than air. This is why these elements do not float under normal atmospheric situations.
After using up its hydrogen-1, the star becomes a red giant. It will start fusing helium-4 into heavier elements. It may also fuse heavier elements, to get other elements that are yet heavier.
I think it's our Sun which gets heavier elements from fusion of hydrogen and other light elements.Edit: Our Sun does create helium from hydrogen by fusion, but that's all. The reason it has heavier elements is that these come from the nebula that formed the Sun. The heavier elements are thought to have come from stars that exploded as "supernovas", a long time ago.
When heavier elements undergo fusion, they release energy in the form of light and heat. This process can only occur in extreme conditions, such as the high temperatures and pressures found in stars or during a thermonuclear reaction. Fusion of heavier elements can lead to the formation of even heavier elements and can release a tremendous amount of energy.