Physical Science

Module 1: Formation of
Heavier Elements
Objectives:

• Give evidence for and describe the formation of

heavier elements during star formation and
evolution
• Explain how the concept of atomic number
led to the synthesis of new elements in the
laboratory
Review:
What are elements?

-a pure substance consisting only of atoms that all

have the same numbers of protons in their atomic

nuclei.
How were the elements formed?
Formation of Light Elements

• For a few minutes after the big bang, the

temperature of the universe has reached the point
where the protons and neutrons could combine
when they collided.

• Through this process, new elements were made. We

call this big bang nucleosynthesis.
What is atomic number?

• Atomic number is the number of protons.

• Protons are positively charged particles in the nucleus of an atom.
Review: Using the Periodic Table, answer
the ff:
1. What is the atomic number of Hydrogen H?
2. What is the atomic number of Helium He?
3. What element has an atomic number of 3?
4. What element has an atomic number of 4?
5. What are isotopes?
What are isotopes?
Same number of protons, different number of neutrons.
Same atomic number, different mass number.
Mass number is the number of p + the number of n
Example:

Deuteron  2H (one proton, one netron)

Tritium 3H (one proton, two neutron)
Formation of Light Elements

• Protons and neutrons combine to form

Deuteron, an isotope of Hydrogen with one
proton and one neutron.
Formation of Light Elements

• Soon another neutron collides and combines

with it to form Triton, an isotope of
Hydrogen with two neutrons and one proton..
Formation of Light Elements

• Another proton collides and combines with it

to form Helium.
Formation of Light Elements

• One way Lithium was formed is through the

combination of Helium 4 and Triton

Lithium
Formation of Light Elements
• One way Beryllium was formed is through
the collision and combination of Helium 4
and Helium 3.
Formation of Heavier Elements
• As the universe continued to expand, the
temperature dropped to a point where the
particles no longer had enough energy to
combine when they collide,
• They just bounced.
• Can you think of another place where there is
energy for the elements to form?
Formation of Heavier Elements
• Heavier elements were formed in stars.
• How is a star born?
Formation of Heavier Elements
• Gravity increases the kinetic
energy of the particles. (green
arrow)
• Hydrogen gain enough energy
to collide and combine to
produce Helium.
• When H combine to form He,
some of the mass of H is
converted into huge amount of
energy. (red arrow)
Formation of Heavier Elements
• Nuclear Fusion
a nuclear reaction in which
atomic nuclei of low atomic
number fuse to form a
heavier nucleus with the
release of energy.
Kinds of Nuclear Fusion
• proton-proton chain
reaction (low mass stars)
• CNO (Carbon, Nitrogen,
Oxygen) cycle (high mass
stars)
• Watch the video clip (Ep 1
Physical Science, 14:57-
16:00
Generalization 1
• What are some important concepts we have
learned from this lesson?
• Watch the video clip (Ep 1 Physical Science,
16:13 -18:17
Evaluation 1
Formation of Heavier Elements
• As the star collapses, the
temperature and pressure at
the core increases,
• Eventually the core becomes
hot enough for He atoms to
fuse and form new or heavier
elements.
• The star expands and forms
either a red giant or a
supergiant.
Formation of Heavier Elements
• Watch Episode 2: 2:18 to 7:23
• Average size star: red giant (He: to produce C and O)
• Massive star: super giant: can fuse elements heavier than
Carbon up until Iron
• Energy released by supernova makes it possible for the
elements heavier than iron to be formed .
• Also, collision of two neutron stars make elements
heavier than iron possible
Formation of Heavier Elements
• Watch Episode 2: 7:33-18:00
Generalization 2
• All elements originally formed from H which
was formed during the big bang nucleosynthesis.
• A few moments after the big bang, protons and
neutrons combined to form He, and also, Li
and Be.
• Elements also formed inside stars in a process
called stellar nucleosynthesis
Generalization 2
1. H atoms fuse to form He through the Proton-
Proton chain reaction and CNO cycle
2. When three alpha particles or three He collide
and combine to form C, the process is called
triple alpha process.
3. He nuclei can further fuse into elements like O,
Ne and Mg, Si etc in a process called alpha
ladder process,
Generalization 2
• Elements heavier than Iron are formed through the
process of neutron capture where a seed nucleus is
bombarded with neutrons w/c make elements unstable.
• A fraction of neutrons will turn into proton to make a
more stable element.
• r process occurs in supernovae and neutron star
merges,
• s process (dying stars)
Evaluation 2