The heaviest nuclei of all are formed:
A) in the horizontal branch.
B) in dense white dwarfs.
C) during nova explosions.
D) in the ejection of matter in the planetary nebula.
E) in the core collapse that set the stage of type II supernovae.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The heaviest nuclei of all are formed during the core collapse that sets the stage for type II supernovae. This is because during the collapse, the pressure and temperature become high enough to trigger explosive nucleosynthesis, in which lighter elements combine to form heavier ones, including elements like gold and lead. This process continues until the central core of the star collapses into a neutron star or a black hole.

The Heaviest Nuclei of All Are Formed