Normal fusion that happens in stars can create all the elements up to lead. Once it gets to lead fusion is no longer sustainable under those conditions so the star 'stalls' and goes cold (if it is very small), nova (if it is medium sized) or supernova (if it is big).
It is in the nova and the supernova that the pressures and energies get high enough to fuse lead into heavier elements. That is where the rest of the table comes from.
The universe literally started with just sub-atomic particles. These came together to created electrons and protons, which joined to create neutrons and hydrogen.
Hydrogen gas then formed clouds via gravity and then liquids, and then, finally solids. These then collected more hydrogen and eventually, when a critical mass was reached it would create a star.
This star then worked away at creating stuff up to lead. Then BANG... we have heavier elements.
A very slow process... And an amazing one too.
(, Tue 13 Mar 2012, 16:59, Reply)