How the

Elements
found in the
Universe were
Formed?

PHYSICAL SCIENCE
 Big Bang
Theory
The early existence of the
universe is believed to be the start
of the occurrence of all matter.
Approximately 13.8 billion years
ago, light elements such as
hydrogen, helium and a little of
lithium emerged in the universe from
the Big Bang.
 Big Bang Theory
Big Bang Theory proposes
that due to the expansion of
universe, hydrogen and helium
were produced. As the years go
by, these light elements
(hydrogen and helium)
condensed and formed stars,
including the sun.
 Nucleosynthesis
The process that creates new
atomic nucleus from pre-
existing nucleons, which is
proton and neutrons.
 Nucleosynthes
Big Bang
is
Nucleosynthesis
Stellar
Nucleosynthesis
 Big Bang/Primordial
Nucleosynthesis
Refers to the process
of producing the light
elements.
The origin of the light
elements.
Big Bang
 The Nuclear Fusion Reactions
in Stars
Stellar nucleosynthesis is the
process by which elements are
formed in the cores and shells of
the stars through nuclear fusion
reactions.
 The Nuclear Fusion
Reactions in Stars
Nuclear fusion is a type of reaction
that fuses lighter elements to form
heavier ones. It requires very high
temperatures and pressures. It is the
reaction that fuels the stars since
stars have very high temperatures and
pressures in their cores.
 Stellar
Nucleosynthesis
Stellar nucleosynthesis is
the process by which elements
are formed within stars by
nuclear reactions. The
abundances of these elements
change as the stars evolve.
 Evolution of Stars
Stellar evolution is the process by
which a star changes over the course
of time. Depending on the mass of the
star, its lifetime can range from a
few million years for the most massive
to trillions of years for the least
massive, which is considerably longer
than the age of the universe.
Evolution of Stars
 Alpha Ladder Process

One of two classes of the

nuclear fusion reactions by
which stars convert helium
into heavier elements.
Alpha Ladder
 Triple-alpha Process

A process that consumes

only helium, and
produces carbon.
Triple-alpha Process
 Hydrogen Burning
Hydrogen is the lightest element and the
most abundant in the universe. Thus, the
formation of heavier elements starts with
hydrogen. Hydrogen burning is the stellar
process that produces energy in the stars.
There are two dominant hydrogen burning
processes, the proton-proton chain and
carbon-nitrogen-oxygen (CNO) cycle.
 Proton-Proton Chain
Proton-proton chain is a series
of thermonuclear reactions in the
stars. It is the main source of
energy radiated by the sun and
other stars( Average stars). It
happens due to the large kinetic
energies of the protons.
 Hydrogen Burning

Proton-proton Chain
 Carbon-Nitrogen-Oxygen
For more massive Chain
and hotter stars, the
carbon-nitrogen-oxygen cycle is the
more favorable route in converting
hydrogen to helium.
Unlike the proton-proton chain, the
CNO cycle is a catalytic process.
Carbon12 acts a catalyst for the cycle.
It is used in the initial reaction and
is regenerated in the final one.
Carbon- Nitrogen-
Oxygen Cycle
 Any questions?

Physical Science