S269 Diary Block 1
My tutor phoned with my TMA01 score! 77%! I'm happy with that! :)
2nd February 2004
I've done a 1st draft of TMA01 and put it away!! It's abyssmal, but will do for now, as I can't spend any more time on it - onwards to Block 2!
Synthesis of Chemical Elements in Stars
| Process | Reaction | Elements produced | Where | Stellar Mass |
| ppI, ppII, ppIII chains |  | 4He | cores of main sequence stars; outer shells of giant stars | > 0.05 solar masses |
| 3α process (helium fusion) |  |
12C | cores & shells of red giant stars | > 0.5 solar masses |
| α particle capture |  | 16O | cores & shells of red giant stars | > 0.5 solar masses |
| CNO cycle | See Figure 2.5 from OEL (p.26) | 14N 15N 17O 18O 13C | cores of main sequence stars | > 1.5 solar masses |
| Carbon burning |  |
20Ne 24Mg | cores of main sequence stars | 3-4 solar masses up to 8 solar masses |
| s-process reactions (slow neutron capture) | many | heavier elements up to 56Fe | cores & shells of main sequence and giant stars | 3-4 solar masses up to 8 solar masses |
| r-process reactions (rapid neutron capture) | many | heavy elements above 56Fe up to 238U | supernova explosions (neutrons released by breakup of 56Fe nuclei) | > 8 solar masses |
Key: α = alpha particles, e = electrons, γ = gamma rays, υ = neutrinos
2nd December
Made a start! I am going to read Book 1 again, which will delay further starting Book 2! Well into chapter 2. (Lovely stuff!)
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