Lesson 1

(Formation of the Heavy Elements,

Atomic Number and Synthesis of Elements)
 CONTENT How the elements found in the universe were formed
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to demonstrate an
understanding of:
CONTENT
STANDARD
1. the formation of the elements during the Big Bang and
during stellar evolution
2. the distribution of the chemical elements and the
isotopes in the universe
At the end of the lesson,
1. Give evidence for and describe the formation of
heavier elements during star formation and
LEARNING evolution (S11/12PS-IIIa-2) (Week 1)
COMPETENCIES
2. Explain how the concept of atomic number led to
the synthesis of new elements in the laboratory
(S11/12PS-IIIb-11) (Week 1)
RECALL
Cosmic ray spallation is a form of naturally occurring nuclear fission and
nucleosynthesis. It refers to the formation of chemical elements from the
impact of cosmic rays on an object.
KEY TERMS
1) Fusion - 9) CNO cycle -
2) Isotope - 10) Main-sequence star -
3) Stellar evolution - 11) Red giant -
4) Stellar nucleosynthesis - 12) Supernova explosion -
5) Supernova 13) Supernova -
nucleosynthesis - 14) R-process -
6) Proton-proton chain 15) S-process -
reaction -
7) Triple alpha process
nucleosynthesis -
8) Alpha ladder -
→ is the
combining of
nuclei to form a
bigger and
heavier
nucleus.
→ is a form of a chemical
element whose atomic
nucleus contains a specific
number of neutrons, in
addition to the number of
protons that uniquely
defines the element.
→ is the process
by which a star
changes over the
course of time.
→ isthe process by which the
natural abundances of the
chemical elements within stars
vary due to nuclear fusion
reactions in the cores and
overlying mantles of stars.
→ is atheory of the production
of many different chemical
elements in supernova
explosions, first advanced by
Fred Hoyle in 1954.
→ is one of the two (known) sets of
fusion reactions by which stars
convert hydrogen to helium. It
dominates in stars the size of the
Sun or smaller.
→ is a set of nuclear fusion reactions
by which three helium-4 nuclei
(alpha particles) are transformed
into carbon.
→ is one of two classes of nuclear
fusion reactions by which stars
convert helium into heavier
elements, the other being the
triple-alpha process.
→ (for carbon–nitrogen–oxygen)
is one of the two known sets of
fusion reactions by which stars
convert hydrogen to helium.
→ It is a catalytic cycle.
→ is any star that is fusing
hydrogen in its core and has a
stable balance of outward
pressure from core nuclear
fusion and gravitational forces
pushing inward.
→ is a dying star in the last
stages of stellar evolution.
→ is the explosion
of a star
→ the largest
explosion that
takes place in
space.
 Rapid
neutron capture process
→ involves rapid capture of neutrons by the
atom.
→ is a set of reactions in nuclear astrophysics
that are responsible for the creation
(nucleosynthesis) of approximately half the
atomic nuclei heavier than iron.
 Slow
neutron capture process
→ involving slow neutron capture
in red giants.
→ is a series of reactions in nuclear astrophysics which
occur in stars, particularly AGB stars. It is responsible
for the creation (nucleosynthesis) of approximately half
the atomic nuclei heavier than iron.
HENRY MOSELEY
■Henry Moseley who was a
researcher at Rutherford’s
laboratory. In 1913
Moseley used Rutherford’s
work to advance the
understanding of the
elements and solve the
problem with Mendeleev’s
HENRY MOSELEY
■ Moseley noticed that shooting
electrons at elements caused
them to release x-rays at
unique frequencies. He also
noticed that the frequency
increased by a certain amount
when the “positive charge” of
the chosen element was
higher.
HENRY MOSELEY
■ He gave to an existing
hypothesis: that the
elements’ atomic number,
or place in the periodic
table, was uniquely tied to
their “positive charge”, or
the number of protons they
had.
SYNTHESIS OF ELEMENTS
The invention of the device called
cyclotron paved the way for transmuting
one element into another artificially. The
high-energy particles that are produced
from the cyclotron upon hitting heavy
target nuclei produce heavier nuclei.
SYNTHESIS OF ELEMENTS
The bombarding of Mo with deuteron
formed technetium which is the first
artificially made element. Its name is
derived from the Greek word technetos
which means artificial.
TRANSURANIC ELEMENTS
➢They are synthetic elements with
atomic numbers higher than that of
Uranium.
SUPER HEAVY ELEMENTS
➢ Super heavy elements are elements
with atomic numbers beyond 103.
These are produced by bombarding
heavy nuclear targets with accelerated
heavy projectiles.
ACTIVITY
 PRACTICE
Write the nuclear reactions involved
in the synthesis of each of the
following new elements.
■a) Curium (Z = 96) was formed by
reacting Pu – 239 with alpha
particles 42He. It has a half-life of
162 days.
 PRACTICE

Write the nuclear reactions involved

in the synthesis of each of the
following new elements.
■b) Mendelevium (Z = 101) was
formed by reacting En – 253 with
alpha particles.
 PRACTICE
Write the nuclear reactions involved in
the synthesis of each of the following new
elements.
■c) Meitnerium (Z = 109) was formed by
cold fusion which involves the
combination of Bi and Fe nuclides at
ordinary temperature.
 ACTIVITY
Short Essay (maximum of 3 sentences)
■ 1) Dmitri Mendeleev is often regarded as the
Father of the Periodic Table. Would you say that
Henry Moseley deserves the recognition more
than him?
■ 2) Explain why the atomic number is called the
“fingerprint” of elements.
■ 3) How would you relate alchemy to synthesis of
new elements?