Physical Science - Lesson 1 - Formation of Heavy Elements

A theory explaining the origin and expansion of the universe.

The process where the universe began and formed the lightest elements.

The creation of elements inside stars.

The process by which a star evolves from a nebula to a white dwarf.

The process by which a massive star evolves to a supernova and possibly ends as a neutron star or black hole.

A German chemist who organized elements based on their similarities in chemical and physical properties. He classified 28 elements into 6 families.

He discovered a new family of elements called noble gases, which includes neon, krypton, xenon, helium and radon.

A Russian chemist who organized elements based on their atomic masses, recognizing that elements with similar properties fall into the same groups. This resulted in the creation of a periodic table.

A British physicist who determined the order of elements by atomic number. He used X-rays to show that atomic number defines the properties of an element.

An American chemist who identified the lanthanides and actinides, two series of elements.

A giant cloud of gas and dust in space, often serving as the birthplace of stars.

The creation of new atomic nuclei from existing ones, a process that occurs in stars and other celestial objects.

A type of nuclear reaction where lighter atomic nuclei combine to form heavier nuclei, releasing tremendous energy. It requires extremely high temperatures and pressures, found in the cores of stars.

The primary energy source of the sun and most stars. It involves a series of reactions where protons (hydrogen nuclei) fuse to form helium, releasing energy in the process.

A nuclear fusion process where hydrogen is converted to helium using carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen as catalysts. It is a dominant energy production mechanism in stars heavier than the sun.