How do the deaths of certain types of stars result in the formation of the heaviest elements?
1 Answer
The heaviest elements are synthesised during supernova explosions.
Explanation:
Fusing lighter elements to make elements lighter than iron generate energy and power stars. Any fusion process which produces elements heavier than iron require an input of extra energy. This can only occur in the extreme conditions of a supernova.
When a massive star runs out of fusible material, its core collapses under gravity. This collapse gets out of control causing electrons and protons to combine into neutrons. This process causes the release of vast numbers of neutrinos which causes the out layers of the star to explode violently in a supernova explosion.
The fact that the collapse produces large quantities of neutrons means that nuclei can absorb neutrons by neutron capture. Some of the absorbed neutrons will decay into protons producing heavier elements.
Most of the heavier elements from cobalt through plutonium along with heavier isotopes of other elements are created by nucleosynthesis by supernova explosions.
The diagram shows where the elements are created. Those in red are only created in supernova explosions.
