THE NUCLEAR

FUSION REACTIONS
IN STARS
OBJECTIVES:
Explain how elements are formed in stars through
nuclear fusion.
Write the nuclear fusion reactions that take place in
stars, which lead to the formation of new elements.
Realize that matter has smaller particles that have an
origin
WHAT ARE THE NUCLEAR FUSION
REACTION THAT HAPPEN IN THE
STELLAR CORES?
STELLAR NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
• Is the process by which elements are formed in the
cores and shells of the stars through nuclear fusion
reactions.
NUCLEAR FUSION
• Is a type of reaction that fuses lighter elements to form heavier
elements
• It requires very high temperatures and pressures
• It is the reaction that fuels the stars since stars have very high
temperatures and pressures
HYDROGEN
• Is the lightest element and the most abundant in space.
Thus, the formation of heavier elements starts with
hydrogen.
HYDROGEN BURNING
• Is the stellar process that produces energy in the
stars.

2 dominant hydrogen burning processes

1. proton-proton
2. carbon-nitrogen-oxygen (CNO) cycle.
GROUP ACTIVITY
Write the step-by-step process of the following
nuclear fusion reaction that takes place in the
star.
Group 1- Proton-Proton Chain
Group 2- Carbon-Nitrogen-Oxygen Cycle
RUBRIC FOR SCORING
10 pts
Consistently does all or almost all of the following:
 Accurately interprets evidence, statements, graphics, questions, etc.
 Thoughtfully analyzes and evaluates major alternative points of view.
 Draws warranted, judicious, non-fallacious conclusions.
 Justifies key results and procedures, explains assumptions and reasons.

8 pts
Does most or many of the following:
 Accurately interprets evidence, statements, graphics, questions, etc.
 Offers analyses and evaluations of obvious alternative points of view.
 Draws warranted, non-fallacious conclusions.  Justifies some results or procedures, explains reasons.
RUBRIC FOR SCORING
6 pts
Does most or many of the following:
 Misinterprets evidence, statements, graphics, questions, etc.
 Ignores or superficially evaluates obvious alternative points of view.
 Draws unwarranted or fallacious conclusions.
 Justifies few results or procedures, seldom explains reasons.

4 pts
Consistently does all or almost all of the following:
 Offers biased interpretations of evidence, statements, graphics, questions, information, or the points of view of others.
 Ignores or superficially evaluates obvious alternative points of view.
 Argues using fallacious or irrelevant reasons, and unwarranted claims.
 Does not justify results or procedures, nor explain reasons..
QUESTIONS:
• What is stellar nucleosynthesis? What is nuclear fusion?
• With the illustration presented, what are the products of proton-
proton chain?
• In the CNO cycle, why is carbon 12 considered a catalyst?
• What are the products of CNO cycle?
PROTON-PROTON CHAIN
• Is a series of thermonuclear reactions in the stars.
• It is the main soured of energy radiated by the sun and
other stars.
• It happens due to the large kinetic energies of the protons.
• If the kinetic energies of the protons are high enough to
overcome their electrostatic repulsion, then proton-proton
chain proceeds.
SEQUENCE OF PROTON-PROTON
CHAIN
1. The chain starts when two protons fuse. When the fused
proton breaks, one proton is transmuted into a neutron.
2. The proton and neutron then pairs, forming an isotope of
hydrogen called deuterium.
3. Another proton collides with a deuterium forming a
helium-3 nucleus and a gamma ray.
4. Finally, two helium-3 nuclei collide, and a helium-4 is
created with the release of two protons.
CARBON-NITROGEN-OXYGEN (CNO) CYCLE

1. Carbon-12 captures a proton and gives off a gamma ray, producing

an unstable nitrogen-13.
2. Nitrogen-13 undergoes beta decay to form carbon-13.
3. Carbon-13 captures a proton and releases a gamma ray to become
nitrogen-14.
4. Nitrogen-14 then captures another proton and releases a gamma
ray to produce oxygen-15.
5. Oxygen-15 undergoes beta decay and becomes nitrogen-15.
6. Finally, nitrogen-15 captures a proton and gives off helium (alpha
particle) ending the cycle and returning to carbon-12.
 Unlike the proton-proton chain, the CNO cycle
is a catalytic process. Carbon-12 acts a catalyst
for the cycle. It is used in the initial reaction and
is regenerated in the final one.
Look at the periodic table of elements. Which
elements are formed during the big bang
nucleosynthesis? Which elements are formed
during stellar nucleosynthesis?
GROUP ACTIVITY
•Activity to be performed:
•“Concept Parade”. Groups shall design a group
or individual banners. Each group have a
concept parade in the class. One member shall
explain your concepts.
RUBRIC FOR SCORING
10 pts
Consistently does all or almost all of the following:
 Thoughtfully analyzes and evaluates major alternative points of view.
 Draws warranted, judicious, non-fallacious conclusions.

8 pts
Does most or many of the following:
 Offers analyses and evaluations of obvious alternative points of view.
 Draws warranted, non-fallacious conclusions.
RUBRIC FOR SCORING
6 pts
Does most or many of the following:
 Ignores or superficially evaluates obvious alternative points of view.
 Draws unwarranted or fallacious conclusions.

4 pts
Consistently does all or almost all of the following:
 Offers biased interpretations of evidence, statements, graphics, questions, information, or the
points of view of others.
 Argues using fallacious or irrelevant reasons, and unwarranted claims.
 Does not justify results or procedures, nor explain reasons..
QUESTIONS
• Suppose the first elements were not formed, would it be
possible to have life on earth?
• Why hydrogen which is most abundant in the universe, seldom
in the earth?
• Why we need to study the origin of the elements?
• Look at the periodic table of elements. Which elements are
formed during the big bang nucleosynthesis? Which elements
are formed ruing stellar nucleosynthesis?
PREPARE FOR A QUIZ
6. What nuclei forms when two proton pair breaks, and a
proton-neutron pair forms?
7. What type of reaction occurs in more massive and hotter
stars than the sun?
8. What nuclei initiates the sequence of the CNO cycle?
9. Why is carbon-12 considered a catalyst of the carbon-
nitrogen-oxygen cycle?
10. How many helium nuclei is/are produced after the CNO
cycle?
1. It is a type of reaction that produces heavier elements from
lighter ones.
2. It is the lightest element and the starting point of nuclear
fusion reactions in stars.
3. It is the process that uses kinetic energy of protons to form he-
lium-4 from hydrogen.
4. What are the conditions necessary for a nuclear fusion to
occur?
5. Why is carbon-12 considered a catalyst of the carbon-
nitrogen-oxygen cycle?
• B. Write illustration of proton-proton chain
reaction (5 pts)