What process generates the elements heavier than iron found in the cosmos?
Answer
The energy released during the Supernova explosion.
The incredible energy released when the supernova shockwave blasts the star's outer layers into space is responsible for synthesizing elements heavier than iron and scattering them into the interstellar medium.

Frequently Asked Questions
Where does every star commence its existence?What condition distinguishes a Protostar from a true star?What temperature must the core exceed to begin the Main Sequence stage?How is the main sequence lifespan of a massive star generally characterized compared to the Sun?What element's formation marks the end of the energy-producing fusion chain in a massive star's core?What is the characteristic layered structure observed within a Red Supergiant?What process generates the elements heavier than iron found in the cosmos?What physical event initiates the catastrophic core collapse?If a collapsed core mass remaining after a supernova is between 1.4 and 3 solar masses, what is the resulting remnant?What factor ultimately dictates whether a collapsed core becomes a Neutron Star or a Black Hole?