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Why are supernovae able to produce elements that nuclear fusion alone cannot?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
The creation of new elements from existing ones is a matter of having enough energy available, and for long enough; and of course, having suitable 'feed stock' of old elements and energetic particles.
The production of new elements is called nucleosynthesis.
And with many questions in science, the answer is "usually the following ...".
For example Lithium may need the energies of the primordial 'Big Bang' to create it in meaningful quantities. For, in normal stars, it is consumed as fast as it is produced - well roughly that is.
Have a crack at 'lithium nucleosysnthesis' in wikipedia.org. In this instance, we must regard the Big Bang as a giant supernova!!
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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Why has only the most massive stars are important contributors in enriching the galaxy with heavy elements?
To "enrich the Universe", the heavy elements would need to get back out of the star - and into outer space, where it can eventually become part of new star systems. This "getting out" happens mainly in supernova explosions - i.e., in the case of very massive stars. Also, stars with very low mass mainly convert hydrogen into helium - they didn't have time yet, given the current age of the Universe, to advance to a later stage, where they convert helium into heavier elements - and the stars with the very lowest masses never will, since they won't get hot enough.
What cannot pass through nuclear pores?
chromatin
Mitochondria can not produce?
no it cannot
What process can an element be broken down?
Elements can't be broken down. They are theoretically in their simplest forms; each is represented by an atom. To break down an element means breaking down an atom --> nuclear fission.
Which elements are used for nuclear reactors in India?
Uranium. There is some interest in using thorium in the future. Thorium cannot be used directly as fuel in a reactor as it does not fission, it requires a fast breeder reactor to convert it to Uranium-233 which does fission.
Does a microwave produce nuclear energy?
energy cannot be produced or destroyed, only transformed.
What can an element not be chemically broken down into?
An element cannot be chemically broken down into simpler substances. Elements are the simplest form of matter and are made up of a specific type of atom. Elements can only be transformed through nuclear reactions, such as radioactive decay or nuclear fusion.
How do you produce gold?
gold cannot be produce as it is one of the basic elements. however it can be extracted from the earth. by several means includingsifting if from streams and riversdeep mining itstrip mining it
How can humans change hydrogen to oxygen?
We cannot. Stars can change hydrogen into helium and then helium into oxygen via nuclear fusion, be humans cannot generate and contain the forces necessary to fuse these elements.
Massive stars cannot generate energy through iron fusion because?
No energy is gained when fusing iron into heavier elements. Heavier elements have a higher potential energy (nuclear energy) than iron.
Can nuclear power plants produce materials that can be converted to nuclear weapons?
most cannot, as to produce weapons grade plutonium the fuel cycle must be made very very short. however soviet RBMK reactors and the US hanford N reactor were designed explicitly to produce both electric power and weapons grade plutonium.
Why has only the most massive stars are important contributors in enriching the galaxy with heavy elements?
To "enrich the Universe", the heavy elements would need to get back out of the star - and into outer space, where it can eventually become part of new star systems. This "getting out" happens mainly in supernova explosions - i.e., in the case of very massive stars. Also, stars with very low mass mainly convert hydrogen into helium - they didn't have time yet, given the current age of the Universe, to advance to a later stage, where they convert helium into heavier elements - and the stars with the very lowest masses never will, since they won't get hot enough.
Do all things contain nuclear energy?
Yes, it is in the strong force that holds the nucleus together, but in general it cannot be released. Only very heavy and very light elements permit its release. Elements from Iron to Lead can't release any as these elements have the least of all.
Why are synthetic elements made?
It depends on the element. Some synthetic elements can be made by bombarding the nucleus of a lighter element with protons or alpha particles. The heavier synthetic elements are made by colliding atomic nuclei with one another.
What are uncontrollable elements?
Elements that cannot be controlled.
Substance that cannot be changed into simpler substances by chemical means?
Elements cannot be changed into simpler substances by chemical means. To change them into simpler particles, you need nuclear means.
What are two inexhaustible energies?
There are none. The sun will eventually die, thus stopping the build-up of a pressure gradient between two areas, thus eliminating wind. After the sun is dead, plant life cannot continue so will eliminate biofuels. Nuclear energy obtained from isotopes will run out after all has been subject to nuclear fission. At the moment we cannot produce effective nuclear fusion which would be inexhaustible.
