fission, fusion, and supernovas

why do supernovas differ in the nucleus compared to other star cycles?

by creating and spreading heavy elements through a massive explosive nuclear process that dramatically transforms the stars core

why do fission and fusion play a big role in the star cycles?

so stars can formate elements, generating energy, and driving the continuous transformation of matter in stars and galaxies

how does supernovas allow elements past iron within it’s nucleus, but not other stages in the star cycle?

by generating extreme conditions during their explosive collapse that other stages cannot produce, allowing unique nuclear reactions to form heavy elements

fission

neutron slams into a large atom, causing a splitting process of smaller atoms

fusion

combination of 2 smaller atoms slam into one another, forming a heavier atom

supernova

the explosion of a large star, radiating more energy than the sun combined