ACTIVITY 3.

STELLAR NUCLEOSYNTHESIS and SUPERNOVA NUCLEOSYNTHESIS

I. Main Sequence Stars

a. Proton-proton chain reaction

Questions:
1. Write the equation of the proton-proton
reaction chain. Make sure that the equation is
Step 1 balanced (with equal number of protons and
neutrons for both sides).
Hint:
Step 1:
Step 2 1H + ____  ____ + e+ + v

Step 2:
____ + 1H  ___ + 
Step 3:
3He + ____  ___ + 1H + ___

2. Why do you think this reaction is called

Step 3 proton-proton chain reaction?
3. How many protons were used to produce
4He?

b. CNO cycle
4. Complete the reactions below. Refer to the
diagram given on the left.

5. What is the product of this cycle?

6. Why is it called the CNO cycle?

II. Red giant stars/Supergiant stars

a. triple-alpha process
7. Complete the equations below. Refer to the
diagram on the left side.
4
He + 4He →
8
Be + He → C + γ


8. Why do you think it is called triple alpha

process? Which atom is referred to as
“triple”?
b. alpha ladder

9. What are the other elements produced in this process

aside from H, He and Be? Write these elements in their
correct format.

c. S-process and r-process

Read the excerpt below: 10. What does “s” mean in the s-process?
The s-process is a type of nuclear reaction, believed to
take place inside massive stars, in which elements 11. What does “r” mean in the r-process?
heavier than copper are formed by the slow ("s")
absorption of neutrons by atomic nuclei. The capture 12. What is the difference between s-
of neutrons occurs on time scales that are long enough process and r-process?
to enable unstable nuclei to decay via the emission of a
beta particle before absorbing another neutron. This
contrasts with the r-process that is thought to operate
in supernovae. Prominent s-process elements include
barium, zirconium, yttrium, and lanthanum.
On the other hand, r-process involves rapid capture of
neutrons by the atom. It is a set of reactions in nuclear
astrophysics that are responsible for the creation
(nucleosynthesis) of approximately half the atomic
nuclei heavier than iron. This process is also
responsible for supernova explosion.

d. Complete the graphic organizer below to summarize stellar nucleosynthesis and supernova nucleosynthesis.

Choose from the following words below:

S-process proton-proton chain reaction

R-process alpha ladder
Red giant stars/supergiant stars main sequence stars
CNO cycle supernova explosion
 Questions: Give at least 3 examples of elements that are formed from
13 Big Bang nucleosynthesis
14. Stellar nucleosynthesis
15. Supernova nucloesynthesis