Which heavy elements, vital for life on Earth, are synthesized and dispersed by the violent supernova explosion?
Answer
Carbon, oxygen, and iron forged inside the dying star.
The supernova explosion serves as the primary cosmic mechanism for nucleosynthesis beyond hydrogen and helium, enriching the interstellar medium. During its life, the massive star fuses lighter elements into successively heavier ones up until iron. The violent shockwave and subsequent ejection of the outer layers forcefully scatter these newly synthesized heavy elements—such as carbon (found in organic molecules), oxygen (essential for breathing), and iron (critical component of blood)—throughout the galaxy, providing the raw building blocks for subsequent generations of stars, planets, and life forms.
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