Formation and Synthesis of Heavier Elements

Exploring the Formation of Elements
During Stellar Formation and

Evolution
DIRECTIONS: Demonstrate understanding of primordial
elements formation by completing the table below.
Elements Reactants 1 Reactants 2 Nuclear

Reaction
Deuterium
Tritium
Helium (Stable)
Lithium
Evolution of Stars and the Formation of Heavier
Elements
• Star formation theory states that stars are formed when a
dense region of molecular cloud collapses. During this
process, fragments of clouds contract and form a stellar core
known as protostar.
• The contraction and gravitational force of the protostar result
in an increase in temperature which triggers nuclear
reaction within the star upon reaching 10 million Kelvin.
• Throughout the reaction, neutrinos and positrons are
released, slowing down the reaction. Once the contraction
stops and the protostar attains its gravitational equilibrium, a
main sequence star will be formed.
• In the core of a main sequence star, hydrogen fuses
with helium through proton-proton chain.
• In addition, the gravitational force of a main sequence
star forces hydrogen and helium to fuse resulting to
burning of the 2 primordial elements.
• Furthermore, at this stage, helium is converted to
carbon at the core while hydrogen is converted into
helium surrounding the core which denotes the
formation of red giant.
• Considering that the majority of helium surrounding the core
has been converted into carbon, the rate of reaction will
decrease causing the gravitational force to act squeezing the
entire star.
• With low mass stars, considering that the amount of energy is
not enough to sustain the reaction, and that the star’s fuel
has been exhausted, the outer material covering the star will
eventually be blown-off leaving an inert carbon core resulting
to the formation of white dwarf.
• The first 3 minutes of Big Bang focused primarily on the
expansion and cooling of universe so as to the synthesis of
the first three elements.
• On the other hand, the second cosmological event is Stellar
nucleosynthesis, a process in which heavier elements such as
Beryllium (4Be) and Iron (26Fe) were formed by combining
protons and neutrons from the nuclei of a lighter elements.
• Moreover, under the process of stellar nucleosynthesis,
heavier elements are created in different types of
stars as they die or explode and the abundance of these
elements change as the stars evolve.
• Stable Helium reacts with Carbon to produce
oxygen and gamma rays under extreme
gravitational force and temperature.
• Oxygen as the product of the initial reaction then
reacts with Helium to form Neon and gamma
rays
• (42He + 168 O  2010Ne + 00γ).
• The third reaction involves carbon reacting with
another Carbon forming Magnesium and gamma
ray
• (126C + 126C  2412Mg + 00γ).
• On the other hand, Oxygen to Oxygen fusion will
create Silicon, alpha particle (Helium) and gamma rays
as product.
• (168O + 168O  2814Si + 42He + 00γ).
• The process will continue to form heavier elements
from lighter ones, but not heavier than Iron with
atomic mass of 26.
• Lastly, supernova happens when the core can
no longer produce the needed energy to resist
gravitational force, leading to its explosion and
release of large amounts of energy.
Pieces of Evidence
• One remarkable evidence to support stellar nucleosynthesis
and star formation theory is the discovery of interstellar
dusts and gasses which justifies the stages of stellar
formation which are happening across the universe.
• In addition, infrared radiation being emitted in the process
of stellar formation serves as a strong indication that stellar
nucleosynthesis is a concurrent with stellar formation and
evolution.
Atomic Number and Synthesis of New
Elements
• Henry Gwyn Jeffreys Mosely an English chemist arranged the
elements in the periodic table by using atomic number as basis.
• This allowed him to identify and predict any element considering the
number of protons which is equal to the atomic number.
• In addition, he emphasized that adding proton to an element
increases its atomic number and that new element will be formed.
Nuclear Reaction
Activity 1 Stellar Products
Directions: Based on your understanding about the formation of heavier elements during
stellar nucleosynthesis, predict the reactants, and products which will be formed by the
following reactions inside the table.
Activity 3 It’s Okay Decay
Directions: Determine the type of chemical reaction in each item (a-emission, b- emission, y-emission,
fission, fusion). In addition, write the product of the following chemical reactions on the space
provided for product side.

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Formation and Synthesis of Heavier Elements

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Exploring the Formation of Elements

During Stellar Formation and

Elements Reactants 1 Reactants 2 Nuclear

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