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Stars are giant nuclear fusion reactors; with their intense heat and pressure from their immense gravity, they smash hydrogen atoms into helium -- this is called fusion. Helium atoms fuse together to become heavier elements; this is how all of the elements past hydrogen and helium were created (hydrogen was created by the creation of the universe, and it is believed some helium may have been created then, too, but every element past helium owes its existence to the nuclear fusion in stars). This fusion process generates energy for the star (some of the particles making up the atoms that are smashed together are converted into energy during the fusion process), which is why stars continue to burn for so long -- the fusion of atoms generates energy that fuses more atoms together.

As atoms get heavier, however, they are more resistant to fusion and it takes more energy to smash the atoms together. Past iron, atoms require more energy to fuse together than the energy that comes out of the fusion process. The fusion process continues, however, because not all of a star fuses to the same element at the same time (100% of the hydrogen doesn't fuse immediately into helium ... by the time iron atoms are created, there is still plenty of hydrogen still fusing). Because stars are fluid-like plasma, heavier atoms readily sink through to the star's core. It is not a steady process, however ... heavier atoms can sometimes trap lighter ones beneath them. Gradually, though, more and more iron concentrates in the core ... but while fusion is still going on from lighter elements, the iron atoms continue fusing to heavier elements.

Eventually, however, there are too many heavy atoms in a star's core and the fusion fire seizes. The iron atoms collapse and a huge explosion is generated -- depending on the star's size, this can be a nova or supernova (plural novae or supernovae). The energy of this explosion blasts away the dead star's material, including the iron and heavier elements. The heavier elements will tend to form dust and other debris, that may eventually join with clouds of hydrogen to form part of a new solar system.

This is how the elements present in our solar system, and right here on Earth, came to be -- from carbon which makes up most life down to the ultra-heavy atoms like uranium, all of it was created in the fusion of stars and blasted away by novae and supernovae.

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What are Type II supernovae produced by?

Supernovae are classified as Type I or Type II depending upon the shape of their radioactive decay of the unstable heavy elements produced in the explosion.


What role did supernovae play in the natural elements?

It is precisely the supernovae that created those elements and dispersed them into space.It is precisely the supernovae that created those elements and dispersed them into space.It is precisely the supernovae that created those elements and dispersed them into space.It is precisely the supernovae that created those elements and dispersed them into space.


Why are supernovae essential for our existence?

Supernovae are essential for our existence because it distributed elements heavier than helium (those heavy elements are created in the star that later became the supernova) into the space. Those elements include carbon, oxygen, calcium, iron, iodine, and much more. Without those heavy elements, the Earth would not exist as a rocky planet, and essential elements for life would also not be available.


The interstellar medium is enriched with heavy elements by the remnants of what?

The interstellar medium is enriched with heavy elements by the remnants of supernova explosions. Supernovae are massive stellar explosions that release heavy elements such as carbon, oxygen, and iron into space, enriching the surrounding interstellar medium with these elements.


What role did supernova play in creating the natural elements?

It is precisely the supernovae that created those elements and dispersed them into space.It is precisely the supernovae that created those elements and dispersed them into space.It is precisely the supernovae that created those elements and dispersed them into space.It is precisely the supernovae that created those elements and dispersed them into space.

Related Questions

What is used to form super heavy elements?

The heaviest elements occurring in nature are formed inside supernovae, through nucleosynthesis.


What are Type II supernovae produced by?

Supernovae are classified as Type I or Type II depending upon the shape of their radioactive decay of the unstable heavy elements produced in the explosion.


What role did supernovae play in the natural elements?

It is precisely the supernovae that created those elements and dispersed them into space.It is precisely the supernovae that created those elements and dispersed them into space.It is precisely the supernovae that created those elements and dispersed them into space.It is precisely the supernovae that created those elements and dispersed them into space.


If heavy elements are created by supernovae explosions do the atoms find each other again?

Yes given enough time


Why are supernovae essential for our existence?

Supernovae are essential for our existence because it distributed elements heavier than helium (those heavy elements are created in the star that later became the supernova) into the space. Those elements include carbon, oxygen, calcium, iron, iodine, and much more. Without those heavy elements, the Earth would not exist as a rocky planet, and essential elements for life would also not be available.


The interstellar medium is enriched with heavy elements by the remnants of what?

The interstellar medium is enriched with heavy elements by the remnants of supernova explosions. Supernovae are massive stellar explosions that release heavy elements such as carbon, oxygen, and iron into space, enriching the surrounding interstellar medium with these elements.


Elements found on earth have much to do with?

supernovae


What role did supernova play in creating the natural elements?

It is precisely the supernovae that created those elements and dispersed them into space.It is precisely the supernovae that created those elements and dispersed them into space.It is precisely the supernovae that created those elements and dispersed them into space.It is precisely the supernovae that created those elements and dispersed them into space.


What heavier elements in the universe were formed by what?

They were formed in supernovae.


Where and how were most elements made?

Where: In supernovae. How: by nuclear fusion.


HOW Are supernovae and nebula's similar?

Supernovae and nebulas are similar in that they are both astronomical phenomena related to the lifecycle of stars. Nebulas are vast clouds of gas and dust where stars are born, while supernovae are the explosive deaths of massive stars that release heavy elements into space, enriching the surrounding nebula. Both play critical roles in the formation and evolution of galaxies.


Almost all the Elements on Earth were produced in Supernovae?

true