noun
- the process by which atomic nuclei are created from protons and neutrons, especially in stars and during the Big Bang
Usage: technical; astronomy/physics
Examples
- Nucleosynthesis in massive stars produces heavy elements like iron and nickel.
- The Big Bang nucleosynthesis theory explains the abundance of light elements in the universe.
- Stellar nucleosynthesis is responsible for creating most of the carbon, oxygen, and silicon we observe.
- Scientists study nucleosynthesis to understand how elements formed in the early universe.
- The process of nucleosynthesis requires extremely high temperatures and pressures found only in stellar cores.