Creation of elements heavier than iron

[doccojohn]

Sorry if this question is too elementary (no pun intended) for this forum.

If stellar fusion of iron takes more energy than it produces, how are heaver elements formed?

Cheers,

JP

 

[NobodySpecial]

In supernovae - if you have an entire star crashing in on your head you can afford a bit of extra energy for a non-equilibrium reaction

 

[doccojohn]

Thanks! That was my guess but my astrophysics knowledge is clearly rudimentary.

I'm doing volunteer work as a docent in the local planetarium, and I'd rather not be stumped by a 9th-grader's question.

I like to point out to kids that they are made of stardust. It tends to intrigue them.

Thanks again.



JP

 

[NobodySpecial]

Go for it - it's one of the coolest bits of astronomy!
Essentially all of the protons/neutrons in your body came from the big bang
All the carbon/nitrogen and light metals were made by early generations of stars, then swept up in the dust and gas that created the solar system - then most metals and everything bigger than iron came from a supernova.

So the gold in the kid's jewelry came from an exploding star !