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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.


The production of heavy atoms from light atoms inside of a star is called?

The production of heavy atoms from light atoms inside of a star is called nucleosynthesis. This process involves fusion reactions that combine lighter elements into heavier elements through the intense heat and pressure found in stellar interiors.


What nuclear process occurred when light elements combine to form heavier elements?

Nuclear Fusion


Can the sun produce elements heavier than oxygen?

The heaviest element that our Sun produces is probably silicon; the core temperature and pressure would need to be MUCH higher to produce heavier elements. The heaviest element that can be produced in ANY star is iron.The reason for this is something called the "packing fraction curve". As light elements are fused into heavier elements, they release energy; this is how the Sun and other stars work, by fusing hydrogen into helium. Toward the end of a star's life, the temperature and pressure increase enough to fuse helium into carbon, and then carbon into heavier elements, but each stage releases less and less energy. Finally, when elements fuse into iron, you can get no more energy out. To fuse iron into heavier things, or anything into elements heavier than iron, you must put energy IN. When a star begins fusing iron into heavy elements, it suddenly stops producing energy to support the star against the tremendous gravity, but instead starts sucking energy OUT of the core of the star to power fusion!This loss of energy from the core of the star causes a sudden and catastrophic implosion as the core of the star collapses the core into a black hole or neutron star, and the outer layers of the star are compressed and expelled in a shock wave that creates gigatons of heavy elements and throws the remainder of the star's mass into space; a supernova explosion.So, nothing heavier than iron can be produced in a normal star; heavier elements are only created in supernovas.


What is the main materials in the sun?

The Sun is primarily made up of hydrogen and helium, with smaller amounts of heavier elements such as carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. These elements undergo nuclear fusion in the Sun's core to produce energy and light.

Related Questions

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.


The production of heavy atoms from light atoms inside of a star is called?

The production of heavy atoms from light atoms inside of a star is called nucleosynthesis. This process involves fusion reactions that combine lighter elements into heavier elements through the intense heat and pressure found in stellar interiors.


How did nuclear fussion in stars help create the elements?

Light elements combined to form the heavier elements.


What is a form of heavy and light elements of letter?

A form of heavy and light elements of matter can be seen in isotopes of elements. Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element which have the same number of protons in their atomic nuclei but different numbers of neutrons. This results in variations in atomic mass, with some isotopes being heavier or lighter than others.


What nuclear process occurred when light elements combine to form heavier elements?

Nuclear Fusion


Who created the theory of light and heavy elements?

Aristotle


Where in the universe are heavy elements made?

Light elements are made in light weight stars via stellar nucleosynthesis. Elements as heavy as iron form in the cores of massive stars. Anything heavier than iron requires a supernova--the collapse and explosion of a super massive star.


Can the sun produce elements heavier than oxygen?

The heaviest element that our Sun produces is probably silicon; the core temperature and pressure would need to be MUCH higher to produce heavier elements. The heaviest element that can be produced in ANY star is iron.The reason for this is something called the "packing fraction curve". As light elements are fused into heavier elements, they release energy; this is how the Sun and other stars work, by fusing hydrogen into helium. Toward the end of a star's life, the temperature and pressure increase enough to fuse helium into carbon, and then carbon into heavier elements, but each stage releases less and less energy. Finally, when elements fuse into iron, you can get no more energy out. To fuse iron into heavier things, or anything into elements heavier than iron, you must put energy IN. When a star begins fusing iron into heavy elements, it suddenly stops producing energy to support the star against the tremendous gravity, but instead starts sucking energy OUT of the core of the star to power fusion!This loss of energy from the core of the star causes a sudden and catastrophic implosion as the core of the star collapses the core into a black hole or neutron star, and the outer layers of the star are compressed and expelled in a shock wave that creates gigatons of heavy elements and throws the remainder of the star's mass into space; a supernova explosion.So, nothing heavier than iron can be produced in a normal star; heavier elements are only created in supernovas.


How does stars light up?

Inside stars atoms are fused together to form heavier elements in a process called nuclear fusion. Our very own Sun is our closest star. Our Sun fuses hydrogen atoms together to form helium. Our Sun will eventually produce heavier elements when it reaches a certain age, and will in fact create even heavier elements as it dies! This process of fusion releases energy in the form of heat and light. The light travels from the star to your eye and you can see it. Interestingly, because light takes time to travel this distance, when you look at stars you are actually seeing them as they were in the past.


Do Stratus clouds produce the most rain?

Stratus clouds can produce a steady drizzle or light rain over a wide area, but they typically don't produce heavy rainfall. They are more known for creating overcast conditions and persistent but generally light precipitation. Heavier rainfall is more commonly associated with cumulonimbus clouds.


What is the main materials in the sun?

The Sun is primarily made up of hydrogen and helium, with smaller amounts of heavier elements such as carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. These elements undergo nuclear fusion in the Sun's core to produce energy and light.


Why does your sun have 2 percent heavier elements and from where do they come?

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.