What does supernova produce, helium or carbon?
A supernova can produce both helium and carbon, among other elements. However, the exact elements produced during a supernova depend on the mass of the star that exploded.
During a supernova, the immense explosion and heat generate extremely high temperatures and pressures. These conditions cause nuclear reactions to occur within the star, leading to the synthesis of heavier elements.
In the core of a massive star, nuclear fusion typically converts hydrogen into helium. As the star exhausts its hydrogen fuel, it begins to fuse helium atoms together to form carbon. This process continues, with carbon fusing into heavier elements like oxygen, neon, and magnesium, until a core made primarily of iron is formed.
When the core reaches a critical mass, it collapses under its own gravity. This collapse leads to a violent explosion known as a supernova. During the explosion, the core of the star releases an enormous amount of energy, and the extreme conditions enable the formation of even heavier elements. Elements such as carbon, oxygen, and heavier elements like iron, nickel, and silicon are synthesized in the intense heat and pressure of a supernova explosion.
So, to answer your question, a supernova can produce both helium and carbon, but it also produces a wide range of other elements, depending on the size and composition of the star.