Task 1 (1)

The synthetic elements have been produced artificially in particle accelerators via nuclear
fusion or neutron absorption. It is said that elements beyond element 92 are synthesized by
bombarding the nucleus of a target element with smaller particles such as protons, a-particles
(He nuclei) or neutrons.

Task 1 (2)

Hydrogen, helium, and trace amounts of lithium were produced in the big bang. Heavier
elements were later formed from the nuclear fusion and fission in life cycle of stars,
supernovae explosions, and cosmic rays propelled by supernovae explosions.
Nevertheless, one star does not produce all of the elements. The early stars produced the
lighter elements. When these stars died, newer stars took that material and in their lifespan
produced heavier elements. Other newborn stars then took this material and formed even
heavier elements during their life spans. The elements produced also depend upon the size of
the star. Small stars will produce elements such as carbon while large stars will produce
elements such as calcium and iron.
Most stars produce elements by the proton-proton chain. It is the main process occurring
inside our Sun and other lower-mass stars (mass < 5 M􀁾). First, there would be a collision
between two Protons (1H) produces a Hydrogen-2 (2H). Then, a second Proton (1H) collides
with the Hydrogen-2 nucleus (2H) to produce Helium-3 (3He) which has one Neutron and
two Protons. The final step combines two Helium-3 (3He) nuclei to form one Helium-4
(4He) nucleus with two left over Protons (1H) which can then enter the reaction again.

Task 1 (3)

Carbon is one of the elements that were known since ancient times. The earliest use of carbon
was around 3750 BC. No one knows who discovered carbon. The Egyptians and Sumerians
are credited with the discovery as they were the first to use carbon in the form of charcoal to
obtain copper, tin and zinc from their ores. Then they combined these elements to make
bronze. It is found as charcoal, graphite and diamond naturally. Carbon is a non-metal that
has a boiling point of 48270F and a melting point of 3500oc. Carbon has an ability to create
four covalent bonds allowing it to link to itself in order to create carbon chains of various
lengths and configurations, or to connect to non-carbon atoms in order to form compounds
with special chemical properties.The uses of carbon and its compounds are extremely varied.
It can form alloys with iron, like carbon steel. Graphite is combined with clays to form the
'lead' used in pencils used for writing and drawing. Carbon is used to make black ink and
carbon paper. Diamond is used for jewelry.