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SUBJECT & Grade 11 QUARTER 3 WEEK 1 DAY

GRADE/LEVEL PHYSICAL SCIENCE _________________
dd/mm/yyyy

Formation of Heavier Elements during Star Formation and

TOPIC
Evolution

LEARNING 1. Give evidence for and describe the formation of heavier elements
COMPETENCY during star formation and evolution.

ANSWER KEY
UNDERSTAND
Formation of Heavier Elements during Star Formation and Evolution

SAQ-1: What are the heavier elements formed during stellar nucleosynthesis?
Which of these elements was the most stable during star formation and
evolution?

Massive stars (M* > 8 solar masses) can synthesize helium, carbon, oxygen, neon,
magnesium, silicon, sulfur, argon, calcium, titanium, chromium, and iron.
Among these elements, Iron is the most stable during star formation and evolution.

SAQ-2: How are the heavier elements during stellar nucleosynthesis formed?

Light elements like hydrogen and helium formed during the big bang, and those up to
iron are made by fusion in the cores of stars through the process of Stellar Nucleosynthesis.

Let’s Practice!

A. Direction: Complete the statements below by filling out the missing word in every given
sentence. Use the terms inside the box to complete the sentence.

Red Giant Supernova Isotope Hydrogen Iron

1. A/n Isotope refers to an atom which has the same atomic number but different
atomic masses.
2. A violent explosion resulted to the formation of elements heavier than Iron is called
Supernova.
3. The element with most stable nuclei during stellar formation is Iron.
4. The appearance of the star once it starts producing elements heavier than lithium is
Red Giant.
5. Hydrogen is the element that undergoes nuclear fusion to form helium.

WRITTEN BY: JENELYN C. LIMEN, SST – II

SANGALI NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
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B. Direction: Given the elements inside the box, create a fusion reaction of the elements
formed during Stellar Nucleosynthesis.
Ex. Magnesium-24
Answer: 𝟐𝟎 𝟒 𝟐𝟒
𝟏𝟎𝑵𝒆 + 𝟐𝑯𝒆  𝟏𝟐𝑴𝒈

16 28 4 12
8𝑂 14𝑆𝑖 2𝐻𝑒 6𝐶
4 24 4 48
2𝐻𝑒 12𝑀𝑔 2𝐻𝑒 24𝐶𝑟
28 4 32 52
14𝑆𝑖 2𝐻𝑒 16𝑆 26𝐹𝑒
4 8 4
2𝐻𝑒 4𝐵𝑒 2𝐻𝑒

1. Neon-20 = 16
8𝑂 + 42𝐻𝑒  20
10𝑁𝑒

2. Sulfur-32 = 28
14𝑆𝑖 + 42𝐻𝑒  32
16𝑆

3. Oxygen-16 = 12
6𝐶 + 42𝐻𝑒  168𝑂

4. Iron-52 = 48
24𝐶𝑟 + 42𝐻𝑒  52
26𝐹𝑒

5. Beryllium-8 = 42𝐻𝑒 + 42𝐻𝑒  84𝐵𝑒

TRY
Let’s see how much have you learned today!

Directions: Write the letter of your choice on the space provided before each number.
(Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.)

_____1. Which of the following describes stellar nucleosynthesis?

A. It is the formation of elements during a supernova explosion.
B. It is the process by which elements are produced in gas clouds.
C. It is the formation of light elements such as hydrogen and helium.
D. It is the process by which elements are formed within stars.
_____ 2. Where do the reactions involved in the formation of heavier elements take place during
Stellar Formation and Evolution?
A. protostar
B. supernova
C. fusion shell
D. main sequence star
_____ 3. Which of the following is a star that has used up its hydrogen supply in the core and
switched into the thermonuclear fusion of hydrogen in the shell surrounding the core?
A. protostar
B. supernova
C. red giant
D. main sequence star
______ 4. Which of the following elements are not formed during stellar evolution?
A. Carbon
B. Oxygen
C. Gold
D. Chromium
______ 5. When does a massive star enter the stage of becoming a supernova?
A. when the star has used up all its hydrogen fuel
B. when the chromium fusion stops
WRITTEN BY: JENELYN C. LIMEN, SST – II
SANGALI NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
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C. when the silicon fusion stops

D. when the star has burned all its oxygen
______ 6. Which of the following is/are TRUE about the formation of elements lighter than iron
in the core of the stars?
I. When the elements combine, they release energy which can fuel the
nuclear fusion reactions in the star.
II. When the elements combine, they produce a nucleus with a mass lower
than the sum of their masses.
III. When there is an input of energy from nuclear fission reactions in the
star, the elements are formed.
IV. When the elements combine, they produce a nucleus with a mass
greater than the sum of their masses.
A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II
D. III and IV
______ 7. Which nuclear process consumes only helium and produces carbon beneath the
hydrogen fusion shell inside a star?
A. Alpha Ladder
B. Triple Alpha Process
C. Chain of Alpha Processes
D. Alpha Decay

For items 8 – 10, complete the given nuclear fusion reaction of the elements formed
during Stellar Nucleosynthesis. Refer to the choices below.

A. 32𝐻𝑒
B. 42𝐻𝑒
C. 24
12𝑀𝑔
D. 48
24𝐶𝑟

22𝑇𝑖 + 2𝐻𝑒  24𝐶𝑟

48
D 8. 44 4

A 9. 21𝐻 + 11𝐻  32𝐻𝑒 + 00𝑦

B 10. 42𝐻𝑒 + 42𝐻𝑒  84𝐵𝑒

WRITTEN BY: JENELYN C. LIMEN, SST – II

SANGALI NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL