Question

Which of these elements is not “cooked up” by thermonuclear fusion processes in stellar interiors: carbon, silicon, chromium, bromine?

Short answer

The Bromine among the given elements cannot be cooked up by thermonuclear fusion in stellar interiors.

Step-by-step solution

Thermonuclear Fusion

The fusion process in which the combination of two lighter nuclei to form heavier nuclei takes place by overcoming the repulsive force of protons due to thermal energy is called thermonuclear fusion. The necessary thermal energy depends on the charge of the atoms.

Identification of elements not cooked up by thermonuclear fusion in stellar interiors

Thermonuclear fusion is only possible up to middle-size nuclei. The atomic number 56 is a barrier to thermonuclear fusion, so nuclei of atomic numbers up to 56 undergo thermonuclear fusion.

The atomic number of Bromine is greater than 56, so it cannot be cooked up by thermonuclear fusion in stellar interiors.

Therefore, the Bromine among the given elements cannot be cooked up by thermonuclear fusion in stellar interiors.