M4A123

Activity 1:
What are the cosmological settings (time and place) that led to the formation of —
a) Light elements
b) Heavier elements up to iron (Fe)
c) Elements heavier than iron
Nucleosynthesis studies the nuclear processes that occur in the early universe
that lead to the formation of elements which leads to the formation of the universe
and the things within. There are astrophysical settings which the contemporary
nucleosynthesis associate with the formation of elements, with three of them deemed
to be the most significant, the cosmological Big Bang, stars, and supernovae.
a. Light Elements
Studies reveal that the formation of the lightest elements are consistent with
the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. The temperature was so high that fusion reaction took
place. Hydrogen, Helium, Deuterium and Lithium were formed during this
phenomenon.
b. Heavier Elements up to Iron (Fe)
Heavier elements were formed in the nuclear fusion in stars. During the Stellar
Nucleosynthesis, further burning of hydrogen to helium, converts to carbon and
oxygen. With the increasing pressure, higher temperature gives rise to the formation
of substantial elements like carbon, neon, oxygen, and silicon up to iron.
c. Elements Heavier than Iron (Fe)
Collapsing iron leads to the more massive nuclear energy that gives rise to
supernova where elements heavier than iron was formed. Elements higher than Iron
cannot be formed in the mere fusion, but in a supernova explosion. Capture of
neutron happens in this stage that leads to the formation of heavier elements than
Iron.
Activity 2:
1. How are elements heavier than helium formed in the stars, particularly
until iron?
Light elements particularly the hydrogen and helium were formed during the
Big Bang, while other elements until Iron were formed thru the fusion of the core of
the stars. They were synthesized during the various phases of the evolution of massive
stars. Nuclear processes gives rise to the heavier materials; the main product of
helium burning: carbon and oxygen, which is the most abundant elements heavier than
helium; the dominance of α-particle nuclei: Neon, Magnesium, Silicon, Sulfur, Argon,
and Calcium; and the nuclear statistical equilibrium peak at the formation of Iron.
There was a hydrogen burning first, then a helium burning after the hydrogen is
depleted. Elements like Oxygen, Carbon, and Nitrogen formed. As the nuclear fusion
continues to happen, with the continuous burning, some of the elements were
converted to Neon, and Magnesium. As the temperature continues to rise, the reaction
proceeds which provides a source of neuron for the weak component of the process.
While the helium is burning in the core, hydrogen also continues at the edge resulting
in a larger helium core. Helium burning continues up to the shell. Carbon burning
produces mostly Neon and Magnesium. Some unburned portion of Neon continues in
the process, induced by photodisintegration that leads to formation of Magnesium,
Silicon with secondary products such as Aluminum, Phosphorus, and Sulfur. Followed
by the oxygen burning, which lead to the formation of Silicon, Sulfur, Argon, and
Calcium. Finally, Silicon is burned in a similar way with Neon that results into lighter
isotopes and eventually the gradual builds up of Iron peak nuclei, which is the result
now called the “equilibrium” peak of nuclei.
2. Describe a likely route for the nucleosynthesis of nitrogen (N) (or any
element between lithium and iron).
During the first stage of stellar nucleosynthesis, there is what we called the
hydrogen burning which lead to the formation of Helium thru the CNO Cycle. Then an
abundant amount of Oxygen, Carbon, and Nitrogen was collected in the cycle.
Nitrogen was formed from the Hydrogen burning on Carbon and Oxygen present in the
parent star. These elements continue to burn around the core and leads to the
formation of other elements. These elements undergo while in the production of
massive stars, starting from the burning of hydrogen and helium.
Activity 3:
A. Using your browser, go to https://dimit.me/Fe26/, read the instructions

on the website and play the stellar fusion online. When you have
succeeded in fusing your Fe26 nucleus, do a screenshot of your best
score and save it as a .jpg file.
B. After achieving your best score, write the series of nuclear fusion
reactions that led you to the formation of your Fe26 nucleus.
Fused two hydrogen to form Deuteron, then fuse the Deuteron with
Hydrogen to form 3Helium. Fused two 3Helium to form 4Helium. Fused two
4Helium to Produce 8Beryllium. With the 8Beryllium, I fused it with 4Helium
to form 12Carbon. Another 4Helium was then fused to 12Carbon to produce

16Oxygen. Repeated the process until I fused two 16Oxygen all in all. Fused
the two 16Oxygen to form 28Silicon, then fused the 28Silicon with another
4Helium resulting into 32Sulfur. Fused the formed 32Sulfur with another
4Helium that formed 36Argon, then fused that 36Argon with another 4Helium
resulting into 40Calcium. To produce 44Titanium, I fused the 40Calcium with

another 4Helium, then the resulting 44Titanium was fused with another
4Helium resulting into 48Chromium. The 48Chromium was then fused with
another 4Helium that results into 52Iron. The 52Iron was fused with another
4Helium that lead to the formation of 56Nickel. Then just continued to swipe
until 56Nickel decays to 56Iron.

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Activity 1:

A. Using your browser, go to https://dimit.me/Fe26/, read the instructions

to form 12Carbon. Another 4Helium was then fused to 12Carbon to produce

resulting into 40Calcium. To produce 44Titanium, I fused the 40Calcium with

until 56Nickel decays to 56Iron.

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