The Origins of Gold

Instead of arising from the planet's rocky crust, gold is formed in space.  It's _____

• terrestrial
• extraterrestrial
• geological
• topographical

Which stellar event leads to the formation of gold?

• the creation of a black hole
• the birth of a neutron star
• a supernova explosion
• the cooling of a white dwarf

The simplest and lightest element is abundantly found in stars.  Which element is it?

• hydrogen
• helium
• iron
• nickel

What process occurs in a star's core, causing it to shine?

• physical compaction
• chemical synthesis
• nuclear fission
• nuclear fusion

Over many millions of years, stellar fusion transforms hydrogen into _____

• lighter elements
• heavier elements
• gold
• uranium

Stellar fusion transforms hydrogen into heavier elements, up to and including _____

• helium and lithium
• iron and nickel
• gold and lead
• uranium and plutonium

Which subatomic particles are forced together early in a supernova explosion?

• protons and electrons
• protons and neutrons
• neutrons and electrons
• baryons and mesons

In the extreme pressure of a collapsing star, protons and electrons are forced together forming _____

• neutrons
• leptons
• photons
• bosons

Neutrons are easily captured by the iron group elements because _____

• they have no electric charge
• they have a positive charge
• they have a negative charge
• they have no mass

What do the iron group elements capture to enable the formation of heavier elements?

• electrons
• protons
• neutrons
• photons