10 Questions
What is the first step in the stellar nucleosynthesis process for forming elements heavier than helium-4?
Fusing two helium-4 nuclei
Why can't fusion reactions produce nuclei heavier than iron-56?
Nuclear binding energy per nucleon decreases after iron-56
What process is involved in the synthesis of heavier nuclei besides fusion reactions?
Neutron capture
What role does neutron capture play in the formation of heavier isotopes?
Adding a neutron to a seed nucleus to produce a heavier isotope
Which decay process results in an increase in the number of protons of the nucleus by 1?
Beta decay
What process is responsible for the synthesis of nuclei heavier than the seed nucleus?
Neutron capture (s-process)
In which process does an unstable nucleus combine with another neutron just before undergoing beta decay?
Rapid neutron capture (r-process)
What is the primary reason why proton capture in a nucleus is not favorable?
Coulombic repulsion
When does rapid neutron capture (r-process) predominantly occur?
When a large number of neutrons are present
What process is associated with a supernova due to the high energy conditions present?
Rapid neutron capture (r-process)
Learn about the stellar nucleosynthesis process that creates nuclei heavier than helium-4 through nuclear fusion, up to the formation of nickel-56. Understand the role of gamma radiation and positron emission in this process.
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