Formation of Elements:

Nucleosynthesis
Mr. Harold D. Jonson
 Learning Competency
• Give evidence for and describe the formation of heavier
elements during star formation and evolution.

• Objective:
• Describe the different types of nucleosynthesis.
 What do you remember?
• Atom – smallest unit that makes up ALL ATOM
• - subatomic particles: proton, neutron and electron.
• Element – is a pure substance that represent the species (variety) of
a specific atom.
• - isotopes – atoms of the same element but with different atomic
mass ( different number of neutrons).
• Element is the identity; atom shows the variety.
 Subatomic Particles
• Proton – positively charged particle located in the
nucleus along with the neutron.
• Neutron – uncharged particle
• Electron – negatively charged particle located
around the nucleus.
What happens in the beginning?
 Big Bag Theory
• There are many theories to explain the origin of the
universe, but the most sound is the BIG BANG.
• Big Bang Theory – postulates that the universe emerged
from a state of enormous density and energy. Everything
came from a single point and expanded to now what we
call the universe. Proposed by Goerges Lemaitre.
 Evidences of the Big Bang
• Cosmic expansion. Edwin Hubble.
• Cosmic Microwave Background, George
Gamow.
• Primordial or Big Bang Nucleosynthesis.
 Nucleosynthesis
• Is the formation of atomic nuclei ( Center of atoms –
protons and neutrons)
• Occurred right after the Big Bang
• Started as quarks forming the protons and neutrons
 Big Bang Nucleosynthesis
• Formation light elements, HYDROGEN and
HELIUM by combination of protons and
neutrons right after the Big Bang.
• Other light elements, LITHIUM was also formed
through this type of nucleosynthesis.
 Stellar Nucleosynthesis
• Formation of elements in the stars interior.
• Occurs through nuclear fusion and electron capture
• Responsible for the formation of elements heavier the
helium, He until iron, Fe.
 Formation of hydrogen to helium
• Proton – proton
chain or hydrogen
burning – fusion of
four hydrogen nuclei
to form a helium
nucleus.