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Many nuclei heavier than iron are built primarily by neutron capture rather than energy-producing fusion.
supportedMany nuclei heavier than iron are built primarily by neutron capture rather than energy-producing fusion. Neutron-capture physics explains the origin of elements such as strontium, barium, europium, gold, platinum, and many heavier species.
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Evidence first
Many nuclei heavier than iron are built primarily by neutron capture rather than energy-producing fusion.
supportedA neutron carries no electric charge, so it can enter a nucleus without overcoming the strong Coulomb repulsion faced by charged particles.
supportedElement and isotope abundance patterns in stars show characteristic s- and r-process signatures.