Earth Sciences 1023A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Stellar Evolution, Nuclear Fusion, Spectroscopy
18 Apr 2019
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Naturally occurring elements are created by fusion inside stars. Nuclear fusion combines to 2 or more atomic nuclei to create a new element. Hydrogen is the fuel, helium is the product. E= mc^2 (mass of the sun is slowly decreasing over time) Higher temperatures and pressures to make atoms with a larger mass. Star"s mass and age determines which fusion processes. The age to fuse and burn these elements into other products decrease. Iron is the last element that can be fused. Our sun only goes from hydrogen to helium. The study of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation (including visible light which radiates from stars) Electron energy levels are quantized not continuous (think of stairs vs. a ramp) Quantized= you have to go up a full position/energy level (can"t go up half a step) Electron absorb energy (jump to a higher energy level)
