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Supernova nucleosynthesis is the process where new elements heavier than iron are created through nuclear fusion when a star goes supernova. During the "normal" life of a star, it fuses hydrogen into helium, and also fuses lighter nuclei together to make heavier nuclei, at least up through iron. But after the star completes the fusion of much of its bulk into iron, it no longer continues to function as a fusion engine. The fusion processes up through those that produce iron are all exothermic, and this released energy sustains further fusion throughout the life of the star. Toward the end of its life, the star can no longer operate the "regular" way it was in normal stellar nucleosynthesis. Recall that fusion is releasing huge quantities of energy and trying to "blow up" the star, but massive gravity keeps everything together. These two forces, fusion and gravity, operate at equilibrium. After exhausting most of it fuel creating iron, gravity wins and the star collapses. This collapse adds to the star's energy, and the collapse will add tremendous quantities of heat to the stellar plasma. This heat will provide energy for the endothermic fusion reactions that create the trans-iron elements and the star will go supernova, if it is of sufficient mass. With all the extra heat provided by the collapse of a sufficiently massive star, the fusion engine will be jump started. The heat-consuming fusion reactions that create the trans-iron elements will have the energy they need to drive them, and the supernova will create lots of material with nuclei heavier than iron. Additionally, this material will be blown across the universe to fertilize other newly forming solar systems. Links are provided below for more information.

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Related Questions

Where does elements come from?

Chemical elements were formed by stellar nucleosynthesis.


Is beryllium created in stars?

Beryllium was not created during the stellar nucleosynthesis.


Is an element formed?

By stellar nucleosynthesis (excepting H, He and probably Li, Be).


What is the minimum temperature necessary for Stellar Nucleosynthesis to occur?

10 million kelvin


How were chemical elements larger than helium made?

This process is called stellar nucleosynthesis.


How are natural elements heavier than iron created?

The process is called stellar nucleosynthesis.


What are several types of nucleosynthesis?

Several types of nucleosynthesis include primordial nucleosynthesis (which occurs within the first few minutes of the universe's existence), stellar nucleosynthesis (which occurs within stars through nuclear fusion processes), and explosive nucleosynthesis (which occurs during events like supernovae or neutron star mergers).


When does stellar nucleosynthesis start in a star?

When the temperature in the core reaches 10 million degrees Kelvin.


How is raw uranium formed?

As many other chemical elements uranium was formed by stellar nucleosynthesis.


What does the term nucleosynthesis refer to?

Nucleosynthesis is the process by which atoms are formed in the cores of stars through nuclear reactions. It is responsible for creating elements heavier than helium, like carbon, oxygen, and iron. There are two main types of nucleosynthesis: primordial nucleosynthesis, which occurred in the early universe, and stellar nucleosynthesis, which occurs in the cores of stars.


Simplified explanation of the formation of uranium in the earths' surface?

Uranium was not formed on the earth but in the stars by stellar nucleosynthesis.


Define the stellar theory?

If your referring to Stellar Nucleosynthesis, then its when stars fuse the smaller elements (Hydrogen,Helium) to make the heavier elements (iron, gold, silver,zinc, etc).