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Stars and Elements Worksheet: Part 2
Stars and Elements Worksheet: Part 2
Part 1:
Create an illustration or diagram of the given criteria and checklist items provided in the
activity instructions. You may choose to draw it freehand and photograph the drawing for
your instructor, or you may use a computer program to digitally create your model.
Part 2:
1. Why are chemical processes unable to produce the same amount of energy
flowing out of the sun as nuclear fusion? Chemical processes are unable to
produce the same amount of energy flowing out of the sun as a nuclear fusion
because the force between the protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom is
much higher than the force of attraction between electrons and the positively
charged nucleus.
2. Why is nuclear fusion able to sustain the life of a star over a long period of time
without the input of outside energy? Nuclear fusion is able to sustain the life of a
star over a long period time without the input of outside energy because the
nuclear fusion, the nuclei of the star masses fuse into each other producing a high
energy that creates an outward pressure which releases in space as
electromagnetic radiation that keeps the star alive.
3. Describe how the relative proportion of hydrogen, helium, and heavier elements
will change as the sun ages. In stars more massive than the sun, after the red
giant phase it becomes a free for all for creating heavier atoms. As soon as the
helium in the core runs out the star collapses again, heats up, and starts fusing
carbon and oxygen into larger atoms. The star collapses and becomes unstable
then it explodes forming a supernova and neutron star or maybe even the black
hole.
4. How does energy released from the sun reach Earth? How does the sun's energy
interact with Earth's atmosphere and hydrosphere? Energy from the sun is
basically transferred throughout space and through the earth's atmosphere to the
earth's suface. Since the energy warms up the earth's surface and atmosphere
some of it becomes heat energy.
5. Every star starts with an initial mass of hydrogen. Each atom of hydrogen has one
proton and one neutron. How are the total number of protons and neutrons
conserved as a star ages and undergoes continuous nucleosynthesis? The total
number of protons and nuetrons conserved as a star ages and undergoes
continuous nucleosynthesis because eventually hydrogen and helium were pulled
together into massive clouds of gas in space. Once these clouds became large
enough, they were drawn together by gravity with enough force to actually cause
the atomic nuclei to fuse. The outcome of this fusion process is that the two
one-proton atoms have now formed a single two-proton atom.
6. What mechanisms or events are needed for a star to make heavier elements than
iron? After the hydrogen in the star's core is exhausted, the star can fuse helium
to form progressively heavier elements, carbon and oxygen and so on, until iron
and nickel are formed. Up to this point, the fusion process releases energy. The
formation of elements heavier than iron and nickel requires an input of energy.