Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR
Dao, Pagadian City

Learning Activity Sheet (LAS)

Subject and Grade: PHYSICAL SCIENCE/11 Quarter No. 3 Week No. 1-A

I. Learner and Material Basic Information

Name: _____________________________________________________ Score: _______________

Section: MARS, URANUS, VENUS Date: ________________
Activity Title: Formation of Heavy Elements
Learning Competency:
1. Give evidence for and describe the formation of heavier elements during star formation and evolution.
2. Explain how the concept of atomic number led to the synthesis of new elements in the laboratory.
S11/12PSIIIb-11
References:
1. Physical Science. Quarter 1- Module 1: Formation of Heavy Elements
2. SHS – Physical Science. Karen S. Santiago . Angelina A. Silverio. Pp – 4-10.

II. Concept Notes/Digest/Background information/Illustrative Examples

The world where we live today is just a small part of our universe. In your previous years, you have
learned about the different theories of the origin of the universe that eventually led to the formation of
galaxies, solar system and other heavenly bodies. This lesson will focus on one of those wonderful things
present in outer space, the stars. Although stars are millions of light years away from us, we can still see
them twinkling in the night sky. Let’s find out how they emit light and what keeps them shining for a long
time.
Scientists believe that the formation of the universe began through the explosion of a primordial atom
which happened 13 billion years ago. It is known as the Big Bang. It became a theory that also explains the
continuous expansion of the universe.

Right after Big Bang, protons and neutrons combined together and formed light elements Hydrogen
and Helium in the process of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. Other light elements such as Lithium and
Beryllium were also formed during this process.

Stellar Nucleosynthesis

The word “stellar” means star and the formation of elements in the center of the star is called stellar
nucleosynthesis. Carl Sagan said that “We are made of star stuff.” What did he mean by that? If we know how
some important heavy elements were formed same as stars, that maybe a clue.

Nuclear Fusion
The process by which multiple nuclei joined to form a heavier nucleus.
Average Star

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1. The star is unable to generate heat when it runs out of hydrogen in its core leading to its
contraction and expansion. It cools down and glows red. The Helium fused into Carbon. The
star is now RED GIANT
2. Red giant star becomes exhausted of nuclear fuel, the outer material is blown off into space
leaving the inert Carbon. The remnant is known as WHITE DWARF
3. Giant cloud of gas and dust known as NEBULA.
4. It is formed from nebula due to the gravity that pulled Hydrogen gas together until it spins
faster and faster and becomes ignited. A PROTOSTAR rises.
5. MAIN SEQUENCE STAR starts to form when nuclear fusion occurs at the core of the star, it
begins to contract, glow and become stable. Hydrogen is converted into Helium.
6. This is said to be the remain of the white dwarf that cooled down and no longer emits light
and heat. The hypothetical BLACK DWARF.

Massive star
1. It is believed that a NEUTRON STAR is formed from supernova explosion. This is also the
smallest star
2. Explosion of star or SUPERNOVA releases large amount of energy. Because of that, elements
are dispersed into the space.
3. BLACK HOLE is a region in space where gravity is too strong that no matter can escape from
it.
4. A more massive main sequence star evolves, cools and expands faster than low mass star
and will turn into RED SUPER GIANT star, the largest known star. Carbon fusion still
occurs and Oxygen formed.

Label the sequence of star life cycle. Use the hints/clues found on the texts above.

1._______

2.________

3.________

8._______ 4._______
___

9._______ 5.________
__

10.________

7.________ 6.________

Hydrogen/Deuterium Processes:

Look at the diagrams below. These will explain how stars are formed into different stages because of nuclear
fusion (combination of nuclei to form heavier one) among heavy elements.

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Pagadian City Strengthening
Telephone No. : (062) 214 – 1991 Unequivocal
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Department of Education
Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR
Dao, Pagadian City

The diagram shows the Proton-Proton

Chain reaction in main-sequence star. This is the
process by which average star gets their energy
and convert Hydrogen into Helium. It starts with
proton and neutron fused together to form
deuterium. When one proton collides with
deuterium, Helium-3 is formed. Two Helium-3
collided will form Helium-4.

Tri alpha process happens in red giant star once they leave the stage of main sequence star.
This is how three Helium-4 are converted into Carbon.

Case is different in massive star or star

eight times larger than solar mass. They
undergo CNO (Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen)
cycle to convert Hydrogen into Helium. You can
see at the right how Carbon 12 fused with
proton (H) and form Nitrogen-13. Nitrogen-13
undergoes beta decay to form Carbon-13.
Carbon-13 captures proton (H) and Nitrogen 14
is formed. Nitrogen 14 captures proton and
Oxygen-15 is produced. Oxygen-15 undergoes
beta decay and produces Nitrogen-15. Nitrogen-
15 fused with proton gives off Helium and ends
up with Carbon-12. Then the process repeats
again.
the CNO cycle go through the cycle briefly and
explain that this process involves repeated
proton capture and beta-plus decay.

A star accumulates more mass and continues to grow into red super giant. Alpha particle fusion
happens at its core and creates more heavy elements until Iron. This is known as the Alpha ladder process.

Address: Provincial Government Center, Dao,

Pagadian City Strengthening
Telephone No. : (062) 214 – 1991 Unequivocal
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Department of Education
Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR
Dao, Pagadian City

How do elements heavier than Iron form? As the energy at the core of the star decreases, nuclear
fusion cannot produce elements higher than Iron. Different pathway is needed for heavier elements to be
formed.

Neutron capture, a neutron is added to a seed nucleus. Below is the representation of how neutron is
captured and heavier nucleus is formed. Neutron capture reactions were either as fast as a fraction of a
second or as slow as a few million years.

2 PROCESSES OF NEUTRON CAPTURE:

a. S-process or slow process happens when there is a slow rate of capturing neutron while there is a
faster rate of radioactive decay hence increasing the proton by 1. Example:

b. R-process or rapid process means that there is faster rate of capturing neutron before it undergoes
radioactive decay thus, more neutrons can be combined at the nucleus. This is what happens in a
supernova forming heavier elements than Iron with the process known as supernova
nucleosynthesis. Example:

The explosion of star or supernova is believed to be the source of other elements heavier than Iron.
During the explosion, these heavy elements are dispersed into the space. Aside from gases Hydrogen and
Helium in space, other evidence of star formation is the energy emitted during nuclear reaction. It is also the
energy emitted by different forms of radiation such as UV, Infrared, X-ray, radio wave and microwave.

Most common types of nuclear reactions:

1. Alpha decay: loss of an alpha particle (42 α)
e.g. alpha decay of polonium – 210
210
Po →20682Pb +
84
4
2 α
2. Beta decay: loss of beta particle (0-1 β)

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e.g. beta decay of carbon – 14

14
6C →147N + 0
-1 β
3. Gamma radiation: emission of gamma ray (00 ϓ)
e.g. gamma radiation in alpha decay of uranium – 238

238
92 U →23490 Th + 42 α (alpha decay)
234
90 Th → 23490 Th + 00 ϓ (gamma radiation)
4. Positron emission: conversion of a proton in a nucleus into a neutron, along with the release of a
positron ( 0+1e )
e.g. positron emission of oxygen -15

15 15 0
8 O → N +
7 +1 e
5. Electron capture: drawing of an electron (0-1e) into an atom’s nucleus
e.g. electron capture of mercury -201

201 0
80 Hg + -1 e →20179 Au
6. Bombardment of alpha particle: addition of alpha particle
e.g. bombardment of beryllium with an alpha particle

9
4Be + 42 α → 12
6 C+ 1
n
0

7. Other subatomic particles involved in nuclear reaction are the proton (11 p) and the neutron (10 n).

III. Activities/Exercises/Guide Questions

1.Which of the following processes is likely to generate the heaviest element?
A. CNO cycle C. r-process
B. triple-alpha process D. Big Bang nucleosynthesis
2.Which of the following reactions is not a part of the alpha ladder? (B)
A. 2412Mg + 42He → 2814 Si C. 3618Ar + 42He → 4020Ca
31 4 35
B. 15ρ + 2He → 17Cl D. 4422Ti + 42He → 4824Cr
3.If an element is used up by a star in fusion, it is sometimes called “burning” even though no actual
combustion occurs. Which of the following processes is likely to involve “carbon burning”?
A. alpha ladder C. CNO cycle

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Pagadian City Strengthening
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Dao, Pagadian City

B. triple-alpha process D. s-process

(alpha ladder (CNO cycle does no consume any carbon; it simply uses carbon as a catalyst)
4. What refers to the formation of the heavy elements by fusion of lighter nuclei within stars?
A. nuclear fusion C. nuclear fission
B. stellar nucleosynthesis D. supernova nucleosynthesis
5. Which of the following is the most accepted theory about the formation of the universe that explains why it
continues to expand?
A. Big Bang theory C. Steady State theory
B. Divine Creation theory D. Oscillating theory
6. Which of the following is not considered as light elements?
A. helium C. lithium
B. hydrogen D. iron
7. Which of the following is TRUE about nucleosynthesis?
A. It is the division of atomic particle
B. The combination of elements to form compound
C. It is the creation of everything including all matter in universe
D. It is the process of creating new atomic nuclei from pre-existing nuclei
8. How do heavier elements formed?
A. Though combustion C. Through nuclear fusion
B. Through nuclear fission D. Through nuclear synthesis
9. Which element can be formed when three atoms of helium are fused?
A. Carbon C. oxygen
B. hydrogen D. silicon
10. Which of the following elements DOES NOT belong to the group?
A. beryllium C. iron
B. silicon D. oxygen
11. Which process is responsible for the formation of elements at the center of star?
A. big bang nucleosynthesis C. stellar nucleosynthesis
B. nuclear fusion D. supernova nucleosynthesis
12. How Elements heavier than iron are formed?
A. big bang nucleosynthesis C. stellar nucleosynthesis
B. solar nucleosynthesis D. supernova nucleosynthesis
13. Which element will be formed when Carbon atom is combined with Helium atom?
A. magnesium C. oxygen
B. neon D. silicon
14. Why do average stars have longer life span than massive star?
A. They have less fuel to burn C. They burn their fuel at faster rate
B. They have more fuel to burn D. They burn their fuel at slower rate
15. In which stage do massive stars explode and release large amount of energy?
A. main sequence C. protostar
B. super nova D. white dwarf
:

NIMFA C. VALE

Address: Provincial Government Center, Dao,

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Telephone No. : (062) 214 – 1991 Unequivocal
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