I get that it creates heavier atoms by fusing lighter ones, and it happens during a supernova. But, what I don’t get is the process of it. And the teacher didn’t help either as they literally just read the module verbatim.
Thanks!
In: Chemistry
As other comments already explained, nuclei heavier than iron are created by neutron absorption/conversion. Those between silicon and nickel are indeed [created by fusing helium into silicon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernova_nucleosynthesis#Silicon_burning) (and its daughter elements). This smashing of nuclei requires a lot of energy to overcome their repulsion, that is why a super energetic environment like that of supernova is required.
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