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Glite Dictionary
nucleosynthesis

nucleosynthesis

1 9.9
To make new atomic nuclei in stars or after the Big Bang
  • noun
  • /ˌnjuːkliəʊˈsɪnθəsɪs/
  • Specialized
: nucleosíntesis
  • Studies of these stars provide a critical test of our heavy-element nucleosynthesis recipes.
  • primordial nucleosynthesis
  • stellar nucleosynthesis
  • nucleosynthesis of elements

We, we start seeing the light elements everywhere and we know this phase of what we call Big Bang nucleosynthesis must have happened.

Examples

  • And in modern cosmology, the measurement of the primordial deuterium abundance provides a sensitive test of Big Bang nucleosynthesis (see PHYSICS TODAY, January 2012, page 11).

    Academic text (2012)

  • We, we start seeing the light elements everywhere and we know this phase of what we call Big Bang nucleosynthesis must have happened.

    Big Think

  • Their 1949 paper was an early attempt to understand the nucleosynthesis of heavy elements.

    Academic text (2004)

  • In that case, the subsequent nucleosynthesis would produce the observed abundances.

    Academic text (1990)

  • But that starting point depends on the details of stellar nucleosynthesis.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Armed with our knowledge of nuclear reactions and observations of both past and present sites of nucleosynthesis, we can develop a pretty good idea of where, how, and even when the heavy elements are formed.

    Academic text (2005)

  • Quantitative tests of stellar nucleosynthesis

    Academic text (1995)

  • The theory of Big Bang nucleosynthesis describes the production, in the early universe, of the light isotopes deuterium, helium-3, helium-4, and lithium-7.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Researchers are studying the nucleosynthesis that occurs in massive stars during their life cycles.

  • The discovery of new isotopes has enhanced our understanding of nucleosynthesis processes in stars.

Synonyms

fusion
vsnucleosynthesis
  • Specialized
70 5.9

A nuclear reaction where the cores of atoms join and release energy

is the broader stellar process creating nuclei from pre-existing nucleons
nuclear reaction
vsnucleosynthesis
  • Specialized
6 4.4

A change inside an atom's core that makes or uses a large amount of energy

focuses on making new nuclei in stars or during the early universe
transmutation
vsnucleosynthesis
  • Specialized
1 9.1

A change of one chemical element into another by nuclear reactions

creates new nuclei more generally rather than only changing element identity

Surface Forms

nucleosynthesis singular
nucleosyntheses plural

Morphology

nucleosynthesis = nucleus + synthesis (transparent) = nucleo + synthesis

A straightforward combination of 'nucleus' (nucleo-) and 'synthesis' meaning formation of nuclei; the meaning follows directly from the components.

Etymology

Nucleosynthesis combines nucleus, meaning a small 'core' as in nuclear, and synthesis, meaning 'putting together' as in synthesize. So nucleosynthesis actually means 'putting together cores', which is why it names the process of making new atomic nuclei in stars and the early universe.