Can Elements Die? Nuclear Fusion & Element Creation

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of element creation and destruction through nuclear fusion. It establishes that while elements can be formed by combining protons and neutrons during fusion, they cannot be created or destroyed in isolation due to conservation laws. The Sun exemplifies this process by transforming hydrogen into helium, while heavier elements are produced in supernovae. Additionally, some elements lack stable isotopes and can "die" quickly, existing only as decay products of more stable isotopes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Nuclear fusion principles
  • Conservation laws in physics
  • Isotope stability and half-life concepts
  • Nucleosynthesis processes in stars
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the process of stellar nucleosynthesis
  • Explore the conservation laws related to atomic particles
  • Study the stability of isotopes and their decay mechanisms
  • Investigate the role of supernovae in element formation
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, astrophysicists, and anyone interested in the processes of element creation and the stability of isotopes in the universe.

Darnell Gah
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How could an element and all its atoms die? With nuclear fusion they combine atoms, so are they also making elements?...is it possible to make an element shooting the right number of p+,n, & e-
and then contain it/save it for later?
 
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Google "conservation laws."
 
We can't make elements by simply combining protons and neutrons, but atoms smashing together do combine to form new elements.

The Sun is constantly transforming hydrogen into helium. Other stars can produce heavier elements, and some are created in supernovae. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nucleosynthesis
 
Darnell Gah said:
How could an element and all its atoms die? With nuclear fusion they combine atoms, so are they also making elements?...is it possible to make an element shooting the right number of p+,n, & e-
and then contain it/save it for later?

What exactly does it mean for an element or an atom to "die"?

And if they don't, does the rest of your question be rendered moot?

Zz.
 
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