Why are elements heavier than iron less abundant than those that are lighter?
A) because the duration of a supernova is relatively short
B) because they tend to be unstable, and easily undergo fission
C) Spectral evidence suggests they are only rare here on Earth.
D) This is one of the mysteries of cosmic formation that has yet to be answered.
Question 2
Most of the energy during the collapse of the iron core of a supergiant star is released in the form of neutrinosnearly massless subatomic particles that rarely interact with matter. So how is it they can blow away a stars outer shells?
A) Although they rarely interact with matter, the sheer number released during the collapse is enough to move most of the star's mass into surrounding space at incredibly high rates of speed.
B) By creating a massive magnetic field that convulses in on itself, ripping away the stars outer shells
C) When neutrinos exceed a certain speed, 22,300 km/s, they interact with matter quite effectively.
D) By developing a temporary, but relatively strong positive charge
Barbara McClintock, who discovered transposable elements.
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