How do supernovae create the elements heavier than iron?
Quick Answer
The extreme heat and neutron-rich conditions during the explosion make new nuclei through rapid nuclear reactions. This helps form many heavy elements, including some gold and uranium.
The Full Story
Inside massive stars, fusion can build elements only up to iron efficiently. During a supernova, the enormous energy and flood of neutrons allow rapid capture reactions that create heavier nuclei. Some of the heaviest elements are also made in neutron-star mergers, which were confirmed as a major source in 2017. These explosive events are why later generations of stars and planets contain the elements needed for rocky worlds and life.
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