Exploring The Formation of Elements During Stellar Formation

EXPLORING THE FORMATION OF
ELEMENTS DURING STELLAR

FORMATION AND EVOLUTION
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.
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
RED GIANT
• 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.
• 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.
WHITE DWARF
• 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.
STELLAR NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
• 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 ( 4 2He + 168O 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 + 4 2He + 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
• Throughout history, scientist have been working on a periodic

organization of elements as to their properties and to predict new
elements. This is because understanding the properties of these
known elements will provide them a pattern which would help
them discover 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
• Alpha Emission: a particle with two protons and two neutrons is emitted
resulting to a lighter new element. 23892 U 23490Th + 4 2 He
• Beta Emission:a neutron becomes a proton, and an electron will be ejected
resulting to a new element with the same mass. 13153 I 13154Xe + 0 -1 e
• Gamma Emission: gamma ray will be emitted when a radioactive nuclide
leaves a nucleus in an excited state. 13756Ba 13756Ba + γ-photon.

Exploring The Formation of Elements During Stellar Formation

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Exploring The Formation of Elements During Stellar Formation

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Exploring The Formation of Elements During Stellar Formation

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

EXPLORING THE FORMATION OF

ELEMENTS DURING STELLAR

• Star formation theory states that stars are formed

• In the core of a main sequence star, hydrogen fuses with helium

• The first 3 minutes of Big Bang focused primarily on the expansion

• One remarkable evidence to support stellar nucleosynthesis and star

• Throughout history, scientist have been working on a periodic

You might also like