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1 - The Origin of The Elements

The document discusses the origin of the elements. It first describes how light elements like hydrogen, helium, and lithium were formed in the early universe during the Big Bang via nuclear fusion. As the universe rapidly expanded and cooled, these light element fusions stopped at helium. Later, nuclear fusion in stars produced heavier elements up to iron. Fusion then stops at iron since it is the most stable nucleus. The document ends by explaining how elements heavier than iron are produced through neutron capture processes during supernova explosions, which provide the necessary conditions of intense neutron flux.

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Zel Garcia
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114 views28 pages

1 - The Origin of The Elements

The document discusses the origin of the elements. It first describes how light elements like hydrogen, helium, and lithium were formed in the early universe during the Big Bang via nuclear fusion. As the universe rapidly expanded and cooled, these light element fusions stopped at helium. Later, nuclear fusion in stars produced heavier elements up to iron. Fusion then stops at iron since it is the most stable nucleus. The document ends by explaining how elements heavier than iron are produced through neutron capture processes during supernova explosions, which provide the necessary conditions of intense neutron flux.

Uploaded by

Zel Garcia
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The

Origin of the Elements


The Big Bang The nucleosynthesis of light elements The nucleosynthesis of heavy elements

The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory


Our universe is thought to have begun as an innitely small, innitely hot, innitely dense something a singularity Ini=al temperature immediately a?er the Big Bang ~ 109 K

The Big Bang Theory


Fundamental par=cles produced in the explosion had too much kine=c energy to bind together Then the universe started to decrease in temperature

The Big Bang Theory


The par=cles moved more slowly and soon began to adhere together Inuenced by a variety of forces: STRONG FORCE and ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCE Space began inside of the singularity and The Big Bang is the beginning of the EXPANSION of space

The Big Bang Theory


Strong Force
Short-range but powerful aVrac=ve force between protons, neutrons and each other --- bound par=cle together into nuclei

Electromagne/c Force
Rela=vely weak but long-range force between electric charges --- bound electrons to nuclei to form atoms

Review: Isotopic Nota=on

The Nucleosynthesis of Light Elements

Big Bang Nucleosynthesis: H and He


1 H 1 2 H 1 2 H 1 3 H 1

+ +

1 n 0 1 H 1 1 n 0 1 H 1 1 n 0

2 H 1 3 He 2 3 H 1 4 He 2 4 He 2 He-4 is very stable compared to other light nuclei. Almost all neutrons combine with protons to form He-4. Happened at the core of the star

+ +

3 He + 2

BBN ceases at He-4 because no stable nuclei are produced by the following reac=ons:
4 He + 2 4 2 He + 4 2 He + 1 1H 1 0n 4 2 He 5 3 Li 5 2 He 8 4 Be

Unstable because any Li, Be or B formed goes on to react with more alpha par:cles

Helium burning
Explains the low abundance of Li, Be and B Energy is released when light nuclei fuse together to give elements of higher atomic number

Nuclear burning
Elements of atomic number up to 26 were formed Such elements are the products of the nuclear fusion events --- nuclear burning

Why does fusion stop at Fe?

Nuclear Binding Energy


the energy required to break down a nucleus into its component nucleons

Nuclear Binding Energy vs Atomic Mass

Fusion of light nuclei produces more stable nuclei (higher nuclear binding energy); energy is released

Nuclear Binding Energy vs Atomic Mass

Fe-56 is at the top of the curve; point of maximum stability occurs around Fe-56

Nuclear Binding Energy vs Atomic Mass

Fusion of iron nuclei requires energy.

Why does fusion stop at Fe?


Fe with 26 protons is at the top of the Binding Energy vs Mass No. curve Fusion of Fe nuclei REQUIRES energy, instead of emitting energy

The Nucleosynthesis of Heavy Elements

Synthesis of elements heavier than Iron


Produced by a variety of energy-consuming processes Requires a different mechanism --- NOT by nuclear FUSION at the core of the stars Heavier elements are produced during SUPERNOVA explosions --- condition of intense neutron flux

SUPERNOVA: exploding star


Fusion stops Core collapses density at center > density of a nucleus

THE STAR BLOWS APART!


Temperature goes up but does not stop collapse

Protons and electrons combine to produce neutrons

Synthesis of elements heavier than Iron


A given nucleus may capture a succession of neutrons and become progressively heavier isotope Then there comes a point at which it will eject an electron from the nucleus as a par=cle

daughter nuclide

SUMMARY

The Big Bang

H fusion He He fusion C (O) C fusion Ne, Mg

7 million years 500 000 years 600 years

Ne fusion S O fusion Si Si, S fusion Fe

1 year 6 months 1 day

Fusion STOPS

Fusion STOPS

SUPERNOVA EXPLOSION

SYNTHESIS OF HEAVY ELEMENTS

Other Resources
The Elements: Forged in Stars hVp://www.youtube.com/watch? v=uKqvjEE0wFg&feature=related

END

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