What molecules can form in a star?

On 9/13/11 9/13/11 - 11:56 PM, jon car wrote:
Is there stellar chemistry that happens along side of nuclear fusion?

Yes. But it is chemistry appropriate for the enormous temperatures and high
densities, and thus varies throughout the star. It is also VERY different from
what we observe on earth, due to those very different conditions.

Few molecules form for very long ( femtoseconds), because the temperature and
density are high enough throughout most of the star to immediately disassociate
them. Near the surface the density can be low enough that molecules remain for
measurable durations.


When elements are created do they tend to bond to themselves?

Yes, for a few femtoseconds, then other atoms bump into them with sufficient
energy to disassociate any molecules.


This togtherness of likes looks like
the norm behind stellar chemistry and what eventually becomes
the planets.

The planets are VERY MUCH cooler than the stars, and this STRONGLY affects the
longevity of chemical bonds.


What molecules start at the stars?

Everything except hydrogen and helium (which does not form molecules) and tiny
amounts of Be and Li were formed in stars. At least in our best models today.


Tom Roberts