PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1 – Formation of the Heavy Elements – Dapul

TOPIC / LESSON NAME
CONTENT STANDARDS
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
LEARNING COMPETENCIES
SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES
TIME ALLOTMENT
We Are All Made of Star Stuff (Formation of the Heavy Elements)
The learners demonstrate an understanding of the formation of the elements during the Big Bang and
during stellar evolution.
The learners demonstrate an understanding of the distribution of the chemical elements and the
isotopes in the universe.
The learners can make a creative representation of the historical development of the atom or the
chemical element in a timeline.
1. Give evidence for and describe the formation of heavier elements during star formation and
evolution (S11/12PS-IIIa-2)
2. Write the nuclear fusion reactions that take place in stars, which lead to the formation of new
elements (S11/12PS-IIIa-3)
3. Describe how elements heavier than iron are formed (S11/12PS-IIIa-b-4)
At the end of the lesson, the learners will be able to:
1. Briefly discuss stellar nucleosynthesis or fusion
2. Discuss other processes that led to other elements
3. Write out fusion reactions involved
120 minutes ~ 2 hours
If the allotted subject time is 1 hour, it is recommended to end the first hour with #9.

LESSON OUTLINE:
1. Introduction/Review: Overview of the objectives and key terms, Review of the Big Bang and Big Bang nucleosynthesis
2. Motivation: Discussion of text The Cosmic Connection
3. Instruction/Delivery: Continuation of Big Bang into star formation, Discussion of star fusion processes, Discussion of other fusion
processes
4. Practice: Concept map, Alpha process practice
5. Enrichment: Brief discussion of man-made nuclei (presentation of performance task)
6. Evaluation: Question bank, Performance task to present one of the man-made elements

MATERIALS Projector, computer

Dhaliwal, J. K. (2012a). Nucleosynthesis: Alpha Fusion in Stars. [Powerpoint slides]. Retrieved from
http://earthref.org/SCC/lessons/2012/nucleosynthesis/

Dhaliwal, J. K. (2012b). Nucleosynthesis: Heavier Elements. [Powerpoint slides]. Retrieved from

RESOURCES
http://earthref.org/SCC/lessons/2012/nucleosynthesis/

Nave, C. R. (2012). Nuclear fusion in stars. Retrieved September 23, 2015 from
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/astro/astfus.html
PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1 – Formation of the Heavy Elements – Dapul

Penovich, K. (n.d.). Formation of the High Mass Elements. Retrieved September 23, 2015, from
http://aether.lbl.gov/www/tour/elements/stellar/stellar_a.html

Sagan, C. (2000). Chapter 26: The Cosmic Connection. In J. Agel (Ed.), Carl Sagan's Cosmic
Connection: An Extraterrestrial Perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Images:
Figure 1.
Equilibrium of the Sun [illustration]. (August 2007). Retrieved September 24, 2015 from
http://lasp.colorado.edu/education/outerplanets/solsys_star.php#nuclear

Figure 2.
Elert, G. (2015a). Proton-proton chain (main branch) [diagram]. Retrieved September 23, 2015, from
http://physics.info/nucleosynthesis/

Figure 3.
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). (2015). Hydrogen Shell
Burning on the Red Giant Branch [illustration]. Retrieved September 24, 2015 from
http://www.atnf.csiro.au/outreach//education/senior/astrophysics/stellarevolution_postmain.html

Figure 4.
Elert, G. (2015b). Triple alpha process [diagram]. Retrieved September 23, 2015, from
http://physics.info/nucleosynthesis/

Figure 5.
Elert, G. (2015c). Carbon nitrogen oxygen cycle [diagram]. Retrieved September 23, 2015, from
http://physics.info/nucleosynthesis/
 PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1 – Formation of the Heavy Elements – Dapul

PROCEDURE MEETING THE LEARNERS’ NEEDS

INTRODUCTION (5 MINUTES) Teacher Tip:
1. Introduce the following learning objectives using any of the suggested protocols (Verbatim, Own 1. Display the objectives and terms
Words, Read-aloud) prominently on one side of the classroom
a. I can give evidence for and describe the formation of heavier elements during star formation and refer to them frequently during
and evolution. discussion.
b. I can write the nuclear fusion reactions that take place in stars, which lead to the formation of
new elements
c. I can describe how elements heavier than iron are formed

2. Introduce the list of important terms that learners will encounter: 2. To serve as an outline, you may map
a. fusion b. stellar nucleosynthesis out the lesson using the diagram in the
c. proton-proton chain reaction d. triple alpha process Practice portion of the lesson.
e. alpha ladder f. CNO cycle
g. main-sequence star h. red giant
i. supernova explosion j. supernova nucleosynthesis
k. r-process l. s-process

REVIEW (15 MINUTES)

3. Review the stages of the Big Bang model, giving particular focus to nucleosynthesis and the 3. Cosmic ray spallation is outside of the
formation of light elements such as H and He. Discuss briefly that more significant amounts of Li, Be lesson’s scope, but simply explain that
and B formed through other processes, such as cosmic ray spallation. Remind them that once matter when particles in cosmic rays collide with
had recombined, gravity and other forces acted to bring matter together, eventually forming stars 200 B heavier elements they generate Li, Be
years after the Big Bang occurred. and B – among other elements –
through nuclear fission.
4. Remind students how symbols for an atom are written. Have them recall that
!"##  !"#$%& !!!"#$ (!!!)
!"#$%&  !"#$%& 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡  𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑏𝑜𝑙 , or in terms of particle count, (!)𝑋 (!!!)

MOTIVATION (15 MINUTES) Teacher Tip:

5. Briefly discuss the selection given as an assignment, Carl Sagan’s The Cosmic Connection.
Sagan found it remarkable that the elements we find on Earth are also those we find amongst the stars,
and that we find that most of what we know as matter was made by processes inside stars themselves.
Enrichment: Using the Think, Pair, Share protocol, ask students to reflect on the selection.
From their sharing, draw out one of the theses of the text: how being made of stardust makes
us both cosmic – we are as much a part of the universe as the stars – and yet helps us realize
that we are not the center of the universe.
 PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1 – Formation of the Heavy Elements – Dapul
INSTRUCTION/DELIVERY (55 MINUTES) Teacher Tip:
6. Introduce that once hydrogen-helium 6. You may emphasize the rates of
stars had formed from the action of gravity, the reaction in the proton-proton (p-p) chain,
hydrogen and helium atoms in stars began and point out that it will likely take a
combining in nuclear fusion reactions that billion years before a specific proton is
release a tremendous amount of light, heat, and involved in a successful p-p fusion. 2He
radioactive energy. Fusion resulted in the often immediately decays back into two
formation of nuclei of new elements, so these protons, and rarely is a proton converted
reactions inside stars are known as stellar into a neutron to form deuterium (beta-
nucleosynthesis. plus decay). However, with billions of
protons reacting, enough make it to the
Emphasize that the first fusion process occurs in next step.
the hydrogen core of stars with a temperature of
less than 15 million K, such as the Sun. These After discussing each of the steps, ask
kinds of stars are called main-sequence stars. students to give the balanced equation
Discuss the three steps of the process known as for the formation of one 4He atom in the
the main-branch proton-proton chain. Figure 1. Equilibrium of the Sun and other main- proton-proton chain. The answer is as
sequence stars. (Equilibrium of the Sun, 2007). follows:
4 1H → 4He + 2 ν + 2 e+
Deuterium (D or 2H) forms from proton fusion, with
one proton turning into a neutron via beta-plus
decay, giving off a neutrino and a positron:
1
H + 1H → 2H + ν + e +
3
He forms from deuterium and proton fusion, also
known as deuterium burning. This immediately
consumes all deuterium produced.
2
H + 1H → 3He + γ
4
He formation from 3He fusion.
3
He + 3He → 4He + 2 1H
The entire three-step process releases about 26.7
MeV (megaelectronvolts) of energy. Emphasize Figure 2. The main branch of the proton-proton
that the energy released is responsible for the chain reaction (p-p chain) resulting in the
thermal pressure that pushes against gravity, and formation of 4He. (Elert, 2015a).
for the light, heat and radiation emitted by the star.
Add that a different process facilitates hydrogen
fusion in main-sequence stars with temp. greater
than 15 million K.
 PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1 – Formation of the Heavy Elements – Dapul
7. Discuss how, as H is depleted, the core of 7. Don’t give the complete alpha ladder.
a star becomes comprised of He instead, while H Show only the ladder until neon. Later on
fusion only occurs in a shell around it. Due to this in Practice, ask students to write out the
process, the temperature and density of the core complete the alpha ladder.
of the star increases, up to 100 million K, and the
star’s thermal pressure causes it to push out H
gas. The star balloons into a red giant.

Several nuclear fusion processes occur in a red

Figure 3. A star with a very dense helium core
and a hydrogen shell expands into a red giant
due to increased radiation pressure. (CSIRO,
2015)
giant aside from hydrogen fusion, the first of which
is the triple alpha process. Alpha particles refer
to 4He, so this reaction involves the fusion of three
4
He atoms in the following steps:
4
He + 4He → 8Be
8
Be + 4He → 12C + γ
Note that the 8Be intermediate is unstable, so
either it decays or forms 12C.

As it accumulates mass, the star can keep

growing into a supergiant, where alpha fusion
processes continue in the core via the alpha
ladder. More and more alpha particles are fused
to create heavier elements all the way until iron,
making the core and star itself more massive.
!" ! !"
!𝐶 + !𝐻𝑒 → !𝑂
!" ! !"
!𝑂 + !𝐻𝑒 → !"𝑁𝑒
!" ! !"
!"𝑁𝑒 + !𝐻𝑒 → !"𝑀𝑔
!" ! !"
!"𝑀𝑔 + !𝐻𝑒 → !"𝑆𝑖
Figure 4. The triple alpha process resulting in the !" ! !"
!"𝑆𝑖 + !𝐻𝑒 → !"𝑆
formation of 12C. (Elert, 2015b) !" ! !"
!"𝑆 + !𝐻𝑒 → !"𝐴𝑟
!" ! !"
!"𝐴𝑟 + !𝐻𝑒 → !"𝐶𝑎
!" ! !!
!"𝐶𝑎 + !𝐻𝑒 → !!𝑇𝑖
!! ! !"
!!𝑇𝑖 + !𝐻𝑒 → !"𝐶𝑟
!" ! !"
!"𝐶𝑟 + !𝐻𝑒 → !"𝐹𝑒
 PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1 – Formation of the Heavy Elements – Dapul
8. Mention that once carbon was 8. It is good to teach this in a way that
present from alpha processes, main- accounts for the number of protons and
sequence stars hotter than 15 million K neutrons in each step:
could facilitate the production of helium p+ n Next step:
through a process where 12C is used as a 12
C 6 6 Add a proton
13
catalyst: the carbon fusion cycle or the N 7 6 Convert a proton
CNO cycle. Go through the cycle briefly, 13
C 6 7 Add a proton
demonstrating that this process involves 14
N 7 7 Add a proton
repeated proton capture and beta-plus 15
O 8 7 Convert a proton
decay. 15
N 7 8 Add a proton
12
C 6 6
Figure 5. The CNO cycle, which uses 12C as a catalyst to 4
He 2 2
form more 4He in larger or hotter main-sequence stars.
(Elert, 2015c)
9. r-process and s-process need not be
9. Finally, share how due to the formation of heavier elements, a star will eventually be unable to
discussed at length, but it will help to
generate energy to push against gravity, causing it to collapse on itself. It then undergoes a supernova
mention that these processes change
explosion. Discuss that this releases a tremendous amount of energy, enough to synthesize elements
the atom’s atomic weight, after which the
heavier than iron, including some of the heaviest elements known (uranium, thorium). This is done
atom undergoes various decay
through the r-process, which involves rapid capture of neutrons by the atom. Mention that other heavy
processes to change its identity.
elements are also synthesized through s-process, which involves slow neutron capture in red giants.
PRACTICE (30 MINUTES) Teacher Tip:
10. Review the lesson using the 10. Alternately, this concept map may be
following concept map. Give the map used at the start of the lesson to guide
with blanks in place of most of the students with all the terms.
terms, and ask students to fill the
diagram in.

Figure 6. Concept map for the current lesson.

 PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1 – Formation of the Heavy Elements – Dapul

11. Using a provided periodic table, allow students to write out all the equations involved in the alpha 11. Students should notice that mostly
ladder. What do they notice about the atomic number patterns of the elements found in the ladder? even-numbered elements emerge
Explain that this feature of the alpha ladder, as well as other rules of stability, results in the odd- through the alpha ladder, and that other
numbered elements being generally less abundant than the even-numbered elements beside them on elements between carbon and iron need
the periodic table. Emphasize that many other processes allowed for the odd-numbered elements, to be accounted for in other ways.
including supernova nucleosynthesis, radioactive decay, electron and neutron capture, nuclear fission,
and cosmic ray spallation.

ENRICHMENT (10 MINUTES & OUTSIDE OF CLASS) Teacher Tip:

12. Mention that quite a few elements were first discovered as man-made elements, as many of
them were not found to emerge from the major nucleosynthesis reactions (or their minor processes).
These include elements Americium through Lawrencium, and also include some of the newer, recently
discovered elements (eg. Flerovium, Livermorium). Inform students that they will have to research on
one of these elements for the Performance Task.

EVALUATION (20 MINUTES) Teacher Tip:

A. Question Bank (sample questions for Written Evaluation) A. Correct answers:
1. b. r-process
1. Which of the following processes is likely to generate the heaviest element?
!"
a. CNO cycle c. triple-alpha process 2. !"𝑃 + !!𝐻𝑒 → !"
!"𝐶𝑙
b. r-process d. Big Bang nucleosynthesis
3. a. alpha ladder (CNO cycle does not
2. Which of the following reactions is not a part of the alpha ladder? consume any carbon; it simply uses
a. !" ! !"
c. !" ! !" carbon as a catalyst)
!"𝑀𝑔 + !𝐻𝑒 → !"𝑆𝑖 !"𝐴𝑟 + !𝐻𝑒 → !"𝐶𝑎
b. !" ! !"
!"𝑃 + !𝐻𝑒 → !"𝐶𝑙 d. !! ! !"
!!𝑇𝑖 + !𝐻𝑒 → !"𝐶𝑟 4. a. heavier
b. supernova
3. If an element is used up by a star in fusion, it is sometimes called “burning”, even though no c. True
actual combustion occurs. Which of the following processes is likely to involve “carbon burning”? d. True
a. alpha ladder c. triple-alpha process
b. CNO cycle d. s-process B. Emphasize the importance of proper
research skills and citation throughout
4. Modified True or False: If the statement is true, write True. Else, replace the underlined portion the task, even with creative outputs. If
with the correct word or phrase. there is no time to present in class, they
a. A star gets lighter as time goes on. may present outside of class directly to
b. Most of the heaviest elements were formed in main-sequence stars. you, or submit in a form that can be
c. The heavy elements in a star are found in its core. viewed separately.
 PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1 – Formation of the Heavy Elements – Dapul
d. In stellar nucleosynthesis, heavier elements are formed from combining lighter ones.

B. Performance Task
Students will create an output that discusses the origin of one of the man-made elements. In their
output, they must:
• discuss the element’s basic characteristics
• give a brief timeline leading up to the element’s discovery

Students may present their research in the form of a poster, powerpoint, a report or essay, video, or
infographic. A sample rubric may be given as follows:
1 pt. 3 pts. 5 pts.
Presentation of the Most basic Basic aspects of the Unique aspects of the
element’s characteristics of the element that can be element, for example
characteristics element are missing or found on the periodic the element’s potential
absent table are present significance or uses,
were presented
Timeline of the There is no clear chain The scientific history of The element’s history
element’s discovery of events or key the element’s was presented clearly
moments presented discovery was made and the process of
clear, including creating the element
notable people and was discussed
groups involved
(add creative metric)
(add other metrics)