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WorksheetsStellar Nucleosynthesis
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 12mins
What is nucleosynthesis?
How the sun creates new hydrogen atoms out of dark matter
How helium atoms are broken down by nuclear fission to produce hydrogen
How a nucleus is produced during the big bang
How new elements are created in stars by combining the nuclei of atoms
What is responsible for 85% of the energy from the sun?
the break down of heavy elements by fission
the burning of plasma
hydrogen fusing into helium in the sun's core
the burning of electrons from the outsides of atoms
When a star runs out of hydrogen, it changes dramatically. The star cools, gets larger, and becomes a red giant or supergiant depending on the mass of the star. In the largest stars what happens?
comets and meteorites eject new elements into the star
larger atoms like oxygen and iron form
multiple new stars are formed as the large star splits
red and blue light move around the core
The largest elements form during a supernova.
true
false
How do elements like gold, copper, and lead end up on earth?
they flow through sunshine to the earth
as the earth gets close to a red giant, its gravity pulls these elements to the ground
supernovae send these elements into the interstellar matter and they end up on earth from there
these elements are made on earth by volcanic action
What is required to make nucleosynthesis happen (check all that apply)?
a high speed collision
a very high temperature
a black hole
violent surface interactions like solar flares
What happens when a star's core runs out of helium? (check all that apply)
the star begins to die out
the becomes a red giant
the star begins fusing helium into carbon atoms
the star becomes blue or white because of the temperature change
What is needed to produce atoms heavier than iron?
nuclear fission
objects, such as comets, running into the star
a supernova
a solar flare
Your body is made up of many different elements. Where did those heavier elements, such as cobalt and molybdenum, come from?
volcanoes
solar wind
supernovae
sunspots
Why do high-mass stars skip the helium flash stage that low-mass stars go through before dying?
Not enough hydrogen at the core.
Once hydrogen is used up at the core the star explodes.
Once helium is used up at the core the star explodes.
High-mass stars never die.
When temperatures are high enough in the core of a high-mass star, this element starts to form.
helium
carbon
oxygen
hydrogen
When fusion in low-mass stars form this element in its core, the helium flash stage begins.
helium
carbon
oxygen
hydrogen
When an ______ core is reached in a high-mass star, gravity takes over.
iron
carbon
oxygen
helium
Supernovas are one of the largest _______ in the Universe.
events
stars
explosions
objects
Supernova explosions always occur when a high-mass star uses up fuel at its core.
True
False
