The heaviest nuclei of all are formed:
A) by neutron capture during a type II supernova explosion.
B) during a nova explosion.
C) during a carbon detonation supernova.
D) during carbon burning in the giant stage.
E) during the triple alpha process.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Neutron capture during a type II supernova explosion generates the heaviest nuclei of all. In these explosions, massive stars undergo core-collapse and release a large amount of energy, which fuses lighter elements into heavier ones, including the formation of elements beyond iron through rapid neutron capture. This process creates heavy and unstable elements like uranium and plutonium, which cannot be produced in smaller stars or in other types of explosions.

The Heaviest Nuclei of All Are Formed