Where are heavy elements created?
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Q. Where are heavy elements created?
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A. It depends on what you mean by "heavy elements".
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Q. Elements heavier than Iron or Nickel, with more than 62 nucleons in the atomic nucleus?
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A. Elements heavier than Ni-62 are produced at the Core boundary of planets.
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Q. Is this the standard explanation?
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A. No, the usual story is that heavier elements are produced in supernova explosions.
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Q. What's wrong with this explanation?
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A. Supernova explosions only last a few weeks, they couldn't build up a heavy nucleus like Uranium through prolonged impact of neutrons.
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