Question

6. What mechanisms or events are needed for a star to make heavier elements than iron?

Answer 1

Answer:

See below.

Explanation:

A star's energy comes from the combining of light elements into heavier elements in a process known as fusion, or "nuclear burning". It is generally believed that most of the elements in the universe heavier than helium are created, or synthesized, in stars when lighter nuclei fuse to make heavier nuclei. The process is called nucleosynthesis.

Our Sun is currently burning, or fusing, hydrogen to helium. This is the process that occurs during most of a star's lifetime. After the hydrogen in the star's core is exhausted, the star can burn helium to form progressively heavier elements, carbon and oxygen and so on, until iron and nickel are formed. Up to this point the process releases energy. The formation of elements heavier than iron and nickel requires the input of energy. Supernova explosions result when the cores of massive stars have exhausted their fuel supplies and burned everything into iron and nickel. The nuclei with mass heavier than nickel are thought to be formed during these explosions.

Answer 2

Answer:

The nucleosynthesis mechanism is responsible for a star to make elements heavier than iron.

Explanation:

Through the process of fusion or nucleosynthesis in stars, the heavier elements are formed by the fusion of lighter elements. In this process an extensive amount of temperature is needed to make super- fast collisions.

By this process, heavier elements like iron are formed in our stars with ten times more use of matters. Elements like iron formation demands excessive energy. By the Supernova explosions iron is formed.