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2nd Sem Q1 Module 1 Lesson 2 Stellar Nucleosynthesis 2

1. Stellar nucleosynthesis explains how heavier elements are formed through nuclear fusion processes inside stars. 2. Light elements like hydrogen and helium were formed during the Big Bang, while heavier elements are produced through later fusion processes inside stars. 3. As stars evolve over their lifetime, different nuclear fusion processes can occur that fuse lighter elements into heavier ones, such as the proton-proton chain in main sequence stars, the CNO cycle in massive stars, and the triple-alpha process in red giant stars.

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242 views

2nd Sem Q1 Module 1 Lesson 2 Stellar Nucleosynthesis 2

1. Stellar nucleosynthesis explains how heavier elements are formed through nuclear fusion processes inside stars. 2. Light elements like hydrogen and helium were formed during the Big Bang, while heavier elements are produced through later fusion processes inside stars. 3. As stars evolve over their lifetime, different nuclear fusion processes can occur that fuse lighter elements into heavier ones, such as the proton-proton chain in main sequence stars, the CNO cycle in massive stars, and the triple-alpha process in red giant stars.

Uploaded by

Kiara Ventura
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Physical Science

Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Formation of Light and Heavy Elements
What I Need to Know
• After going through this module, you are
expected to:
• 1. explain stellar nucleosynthesis;
• 2. cite the different heavy elements formed in each
stages of star cycle, and;
• 3. describe how heavier elements formed during
stellar nucleosynthesis and evolution
Where it all begun.
• The Big Bang
• Scientists believe that the formation of the universe began through the expansion of a primordial atom
(singularity) which happened 13 billion years ago.
Right after Big
Bang: The Big
Bang
Nucleosynthesis

• protons and neutrons


combined together
and formed light
elements Hydrogen
and Helium in the
process of Big Bang
Nucleosynthesis
Stellar Nucleosynthesis:
Proton-Proton Chain

• Proton-Proton Chain reaction in


main sequence star. This is the
process by which average star gets
their energy and convert Hydrogen
into Helium. It starts with proton and
neutron fused together to form
deuterium. When one proton
collides with deuterium, Helium-3 is
formed. Two Helium-3 collided will
form Helium-4.
Stellar Nucleosynthesis: CNO
(Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen)
cycle

• Case is different in massive star or star eight


times larger than solar mass. They undergo
CNO (Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen) cycle to
convert Hydrogen into Helium. You can see at
the right how Carbon 12 fused with proton (H)
and form Nitrogen-13. Nitrogen-13 undergoes
beta decay to form Carbon-13. Carbon13
captures proton (H) and Nitrogen 14 is formed.
Nitrogen 14 captures proton and Oxygen-15 is
produced. Oxygen-15 undergoes beta decay
and produces Nitrogen-15. Nitrogen-15 fused
with proton gives off Helium and ends up with
Carbon-12. Then the process repeats again
Stellar Nucleosynthesis: Triple
alpha process

• Tri alpha process happens


in red giant star once they
leave the stage of main
sequence star. This is how
three Helium-4 are
converted into Carbon.
Stellar • A star accumulates more mass and continues to grow
into red super giant. Alpha particle fusion happens at
Nucleosynthesis: its core and creates more heavy elements until Iron.
Alpha ladder process This is known as the Alpha ladder process.

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