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The Early Universe
An overview of the stellar processes that create elements in our universe.
After the Big Bang the early universe the only elements that existed were hydrogen, helium and lithium. Hydrogen and helium are the most abundant elements in our universe. The current excepted models of galaxy formation agree that large clouds hydrogen and helium collapsed to form the galaxies, stars and solar systems.
The question is where did all the other elements come from? This article was created. To explore the many processes in our universe that created elements. It helps explain how we got to the point where our universe has so many different elements in different amounts.
Nuclear Fusion Video
What is the power of stars?
How does Nuclear Fusion create elements?
The process of element atoms fusing together to form heavier elements is called nuclear fusion. In order for fusion to occur, there needs to be a lot of heat and pressure. In the universe the most common place for nuclear fusion to occur is in stars. It is the power of stars.
Stars start off by fusing hydrogen into helium. Then depending on there size they also create other elements. They create the 12 most common elements: carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, neon, magnesium, silicon, sulfur, argon, calcium, titanium, chromium, and iron. Theses 12 elements make up over 96% of the earth’s mass. After hydrogen and helium they are the most abundant elements in our universe. All these elements and more are created by the power of stars.
When smaller stars come to the end of their life cycle they create a planetary nebula. It happens when a star blows off its outer layers because it ran out of fuel. This is one way elements are released into the universe.
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Nuclear Fission Video
Nuclear Fission
How do heavier elements break down into lighter elements?
How does nuclear fission create elements?
Nuclear fusion is when two lighter elements combine into a heavier element. Nuclear fission is the opposite. It is when heavier elements break down into lighter elements.
This process occurs when heavier atoms split apart and form lighter atoms. One of the most common reasons that this can happen is when a neutron collides with an atom and causes the atom to split. The process happens in outer space when the conditions are favourable.
It can happen in small amounts inside stars that sucked up heavy elements in their formation process. Scientist still do not understand the entire supernova process, but it is believed that the conditions in a supernova would be favourable to support some fission. Fission can also happen in interstellar space. For example when heavier elements encounter a gamma ray burst. This process in know as photofission. Fission occurs on earth in nuclear reactors.
Heavier elements breaking down into lighter elements by the process of nuclear fission is responsible for the creation of elements. While nuclear fission is not a main contributor of the creation elements in our universe, it is a way for elements to be created and id worth mentioning.
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Neutron Capture Video
Neutron Capture
How can neutrons be used to create heavy elements?
How does neutron capture create elements?
Nuclear fission requires a large amount of heat and pressure because the electrons cause an electrostatic repulsion that prevents the atoms from fusing. The larger an atom is the more electrons it has and the more heat and pressure is required to cause fusion.
A free neutron is just a neutron and it has no proton or electron. It has no electrical charge and can enter the nucleus and fuse with it easily. Most of the time the product of the neutron capture process is very unstable and quickly decays into something else. (With the exception of helium which actually forms a stable atom). When this happens the atom does not just reject the extra neutron and go back to what is was. Instead it turns into another element that is stable. This means the neutrons can be used to create heavy elements.
Neutron capture is a great way to make larger elements. Unfortunately, free neutrons don’t really exist in most places of the universe. Neutrons on their own are unstable and will decay into hydrogen in a short period of time. In order for neutrons be used to create heavy elements, there need to be a place where free neutrons exist. For example where nuclear fission is taking place.
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Supernova Video
Supernova
How do supernovae create elements?
When the fission in large stars stops they explode in a process known as a supernova. Elements that are heavier than iron are created during super novas. Supernova nucleosynthesis is the creation of elements in a supernova. It is the way supernovae create elements.
There is still a lot that we need to learn about supernovae. We know that the heavier elements are created in supernovae and a common belief is that there are processes in supernovae that create an environment that allows neutron capturing. This process is believed to be how supernovae create elements and is responsible for the creation of heavier elements during the supernova event.
A super nova is a very large explosion that ejects elements and compounds into the universe. It leaves behind an expanding cloud of gas and dust called a Nebula. Many of the elements in our universe would not exits if it was for supernovae.
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Radioactive Decay Video
Radioactive Decay
What is radioactive decay?
Does radio active decay create elements?
Another process which results in the creation of elements is radioactive decay. This is a process that affects elements heavier than lead. Many of the elements heavier than lead are unstable. This instability, can cause the ejection of a neutron or proton, or a neutron to decay into a proton and electron. Depending on how stable the element is this process can very in how long it takes. Radioactive decay does create elements.
Lead is produced in supernovae, but the total amount of lead in the universe is greater than can be explained by the lead created by supernovae. The rest is believed to have been created by radioactive decay.
Radio active decay creates heavy elements out of even heavier elements. It is a process in our universe that creates elements and is a reason why our universe is what it is today.
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Cosmic Ray Spallation Video
Cosmic Ray Spallation
What is cosmic ray spallation?
How does cosmic ray spallation create elements?
The process of cosmic ray spallation occurs when cosmic rays encounter other matter in the universe. This results in the expulsions of particles like protons, neutrons, and alpha particles. Sometimes this causes the effected mater to become unstable and break down into other elements. This is how cosmic ray spallation create elements.
Cosmic ray spallation is responsible for the creation of some of the lighter elements like lithium, beryllium, boron and isotope helium-3. It is also responsible for the creation of other element like tritium, carbon, phosphorus, chlorine, iodine and neon.
The cosmic ray spallation process that creates elements occurs in space, but it also occurs in the Earth’s atmosphere. This happens when cosmic rays come in contact with particles in our atmosphere.
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