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ESS1 3 Stars Producing Elements

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Origin of the elements NASA PD

ESS1-3

Communicate scientific ideas about the way stars, over their life cycle, produce elements.


Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the way nucleosynthesis, and therefore the different elements created, varies as a function of the mass of a star and the stage of its lifetime.

Assessment Boundary: Details of the many different nucleosynthesis pathways for stars of differing masses are not assessed.

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Printable activity 1
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ESS1 3 Elements from stars Activity:

 

For each of the star cycle stages, describe any elements made during each stage (if any)

HINT: use the information from this link—and cite any other sources you use

 

 

  1. a  Gas cloud coalescing

 

 

 

 

  1. b  Forming a protostar

 

 

 

 

  1. c  Main sequence star

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. d  Red giant

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. e  Burnout

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. f  SupernovaLarge star to Black Hole

        Moderately large star to Neutron Star

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        Smaller star (like the Sun) to White Dwarf

 

 

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Elements up to the atomic mass of iron are formed in stars NASA PD

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Elements heavier than iron (atomic number > 26) are formed in super nova NASA PD

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