2007-10-25 07:23:01 · 5 answers · asked by Day-Z 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
It depends on the stage the star is in, and how large the star is. Older stars have more massive elements, such as helium, lithium, etc. all the way up to Iron, as those are the byproducts of the nuclear fusion that powers the star. Newer stars, like the sun, burn hydrogen, fusing it into helium atoms. Scientists believe that the only source of elements heavier than Iron can only be made in a supernova or similar event so stars cannot make them via normal processes.
2007-10-25 07:34:57 · answer #1 · answered by theseeker4 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hydrogen, helium and lithium, mostly. We know this because evey element absorbs specific frequencies of light, and therefor has a spectral "fingerprint". By analyzing the sprecra of light from a star, you can find the fingerprints where there is no light at certain frequencies, and deduce the composition.
2007-10-25 08:01:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think we know this from spectroscopic analysis of the light given out by the star. each element shows up differently on the spectra.
2007-10-25 08:05:11 · answer #3 · answered by deva 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Erica -- you will not really learn the material for your class by having all of us do your homework for you. Please try to do it yourself and then come here on things you are really stuck on rather than ask each question from your homework here.
2007-10-25 07:33:19 · answer #4 · answered by DaveNCUSA 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resources/ess05/sci/ess/eiu/fusion/index.html
2007-10-25 09:28:46 · answer #5 · answered by Loren S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋