In: Physics
Question 1)
Why do successive steps in the alpha addition process, which forms the nuclei C12 through 56 Fe, require greater and greater temperature and pressure?
Question 2)
Why are nucleosynthetic processes in first generation starts limited to H fusion during most of the life of the star?
Question 3
How do we know the sun is at least a "second generation" star?
1.
Successive steps in the alpha addition process require high temperature and pressure since higher the mass number of nuclei form higher the number of proton inside the nuclei and hence they create more like-like charge repulsion. To overcome this repulsion we need high temperature and pressure for fusion.
2.
First generation stars are formed by ingredient supplied by big-bang directly. Nucleosynthetic processes in such starts limited to H fusion since they have less amount of temperature and pressure for further fusion.
3.
Sun is atleast a second generation star because of the presence of heavy elements. By studying the light emitted by Sun its metal content can be observed which shows it is not first generation star since first generation star has only H fusion process.