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Are there other elements found in stars than hydrogen and helium?
Yes. All naturally occurring elements in the universe can be found in most stars, though generally only in small concentrations. Massive stars that have depleted the hydrogen in their cores may start producing elements as heavy as iron.
What were atoms heavier than helium were made by?
Atoms that are heavier than hydrogen were made by nuclear fusion after the big bang. Initially, only the lightest element, hydrogen, was present. However, after the universe cooled, hydrogen atoms fused to form helium. Later, the fusion of these atoms led to the formation of the other elements.
Were Most of the elements heavier than helium made during the first few minutes after the big bang?
According to the big bang hypothesis, hydrogen was the only element created after the big bang. Within the first few minutes, the temperature was hot enough for fusion to occur, enabling helium, lithium and a few other elements to be created. After about 3 minutes, the Universe cooled sufficiently, for this process to halt. It was not until about 500,000 million years later, when the first stars went supernova, that heavier elements were seeded into the Universe.
Why is iron the only element that can be produced in stars?
All elements (except hydrogen) are produced in stars through nuclear fusion (under tremendous heat, two hydrogen atoms fuse into one helium plus release pure energy). When the hydrogen is all fused, helium is fused into heavier elements at a higher temperature, then those are fused and so on until we get to iron. Iron is the element that will cause a star to collapse and then explode violently in a supernova. The explosion causes further fusion and creates still heavier elements.
Do all stars produce their own light?
Yes, all stars produce their own light through a process called nuclear fusion in their cores. This process involves the conversion of hydrogen atoms into helium, releasing energy in the form of light and heat.
What elements are formed by stars less massive than your sun?
Stars less massive than the Sun primarily fuse hydrogen into helium in their cores. This process releases energy and creates elements up to helium. These stars do not have enough mass to create heavier elements through nuclear fusion processes.
What is the difference between 1st generation stars and 2nd generation stars?
1st generation stars, also known as Population III stars, formed shortly after the Big Bang and consisted mainly of hydrogen and helium. They are believed to have been massive and short-lived. 2nd generation stars, or Population II stars, formed from the remnants of 1st generation stars and contain heavier elements produced in their cores. They are typically older and less massive than 1st generation stars.
Is xenon renewable?
Not easily. It is an element which is only formed in nova and supernova explosions. It is also produced in red giant stars after they have exhausted their hydrogen cores. Finally, it is produced by radioactive decay of iodine, uranium and plutonium.
Do stars have cores?
Yes, stars have cores where nuclear fusion reactions occur. This is where the immense pressure and temperature allow hydrogen atoms to fuse into helium, releasing energy in the form of light and heat. The core is the hottest and densest part of a star.
Are there other elements found in stars than hydrogen and helium?
Yes. All naturally occurring elements in the universe can be found in most stars, though generally only in small concentrations. Massive stars that have depleted the hydrogen in their cores may start producing elements as heavy as iron.
What element is a light?
The light elements include Hydrogen, Helium, and Lithium. Some lists might include more. The light elements were initially formed in the big bang and current universal levels of hydrogen and helium agree very well with the levels produced in the big bang. Much less lithium was produced in the big bang, with most being produced later in stars. Elements past lithium were produced only later in stars.
When hydrogen converts to helium?
Hydrogen converts to helium through the process of nuclear fusion, which occurs in the cores of stars, including our Sun. During this process, hydrogen nuclei (protons) collide and fuse under extreme temperature and pressure, forming helium nuclei while releasing a significant amount of energy in the form of light and heat. This fusion reaction not only powers stars but also produces the elements necessary for the formation of planets and life. The fusion of hydrogen into helium is a fundamental process in stellar evolution.
What object in space are the only objects that emit light?
The only objects in space that emit their own light are stars, including our Sun. They generate light through nuclear fusion in their cores, converting hydrogen into helium and releasing energy in the form of light and heat. Other celestial objects, like planets and moons, do not emit light but reflect the light from stars.
What do stars burn after helium?
The helium flash itself will take a few seconds; after that, the core of the star expands and cools down somewhat, and the star will continue burning helium in a normal (non-explosive) manner.
What were atoms heavier than helium were made by?
Atoms that are heavier than hydrogen were made by nuclear fusion after the big bang. Initially, only the lightest element, hydrogen, was present. However, after the universe cooled, hydrogen atoms fused to form helium. Later, the fusion of these atoms led to the formation of the other elements.
Are all-stars made of similar elements?
Younger stars often are made up mainly of hydrogen, perhaps with some helium. Less massive stars will only fues hydrogen into helium, so eventually they will end up having a lot of helium. More massive stars however will eventually start fusing helium to metals, i.e., heavier elements. In any case, the "metallicity" (percentage of elements heavier than helium) and the percentages of different elements should vary somewhat between different stars.Younger stars often are made up mainly of hydrogen, perhaps with some helium. Less massive stars will only fues hydrogen into helium, so eventually they will end up having a lot of helium. More massive stars however will eventually start fusing helium to metals, i.e., heavier elements. In any case, the "metallicity" (percentage of elements heavier than helium) and the percentages of different elements should vary somewhat between different stars.Younger stars often are made up mainly of hydrogen, perhaps with some helium. Less massive stars will only fues hydrogen into helium, so eventually they will end up having a lot of helium. More massive stars however will eventually start fusing helium to metals, i.e., heavier elements. In any case, the "metallicity" (percentage of elements heavier than helium) and the percentages of different elements should vary somewhat between different stars.Younger stars often are made up mainly of hydrogen, perhaps with some helium. Less massive stars will only fues hydrogen into helium, so eventually they will end up having a lot of helium. More massive stars however will eventually start fusing helium to metals, i.e., heavier elements. In any case, the "metallicity" (percentage of elements heavier than helium) and the percentages of different elements should vary somewhat between different stars.
How long does Helium Flash in Stars Solar Masses last?
The helium flash in stars of solar masses typically lasts only a few hours to a few days. During this short-lived event, helium is rapidly converted into carbon and oxygen in the star's core, leading to a release of a significant amount of energy.
