Carbon and oxygen are converted into nickel
\n\t\t\t\tin a white dwarf through a complex network of reactions.
\n\t\t\t\tThe incremental changes tend to follow the series of atomic
\n\t\t\t\tnuclei that are multiples in composition of the helium
\n\t\t\t\tnucleus.\u00a0 For this reason, large amounts of neon-20,
\n\t\t\t\tmagnesium-24, silicon-28, and other elements with equal
\n\t\t\t\tand even numbers of protons and neutrons are created.\u00a0 But
\n\t\t\t\tthe reactions also tear down nuclei, creating many free
\n\t\t\t\tprotons, neutrons, and helium nuclei that combine with
\n\t\t\t\tother atomic nuclei to produce elements and isotopes
\n\t\t\t\tthat do not have equal numbers of protons and neutrons
\n\t\t\t\tor do not have an even number of protons or of
\n\t\t\t\tneutrons.\u00a0 Because thermonuclear fusion disrupts
\n\t\t\t\ta white dwarf, the thermonuclear reactions in
\n\t\t\t\ta white dwarf\u00a0 contribute to the rich variety
\n\t\t\t\tof chemical elements and isotopes we find throughout
\n\t\t\t\tthe universe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Carbon and oxygen are converted into nickel in a white dwarf through a complex network of reactions. The incremental changes tend to follow the series of atomic nuclei that are multiples in composition of the helium nucleus.\u00a0 For this reason, … Continue reading