Where do elements come from?

Remember the Big Bang?

The theory states that Universe today retains an imprint of its initial cosmic mixture of elements The Universe consists mostly of … Hydrogen H (75%)and Helium He (24%)Plus some Lithium, Beryllium and Deuterium (1%)

The First Elements in the Early Universe

Hydrogen and Helium were the first elements

We viewed many other element’s wavelengths using spectroscopy.

Where do the other 90natural occurring elements originate or come from?

Elements in the stars as viewed from Earth

Elements are made in stars

• Stars are hot ionized balls of gas (plasma) full of energy that is held together by gravity

• Everything is made from the elements created in massive stars. Stars are huge factories producing the elements found in the Universe.

Nuclear Fusion

• The star creates heat and light by nuclear fusion. Light Hydrogen atoms fuse into Helium atoms.

http://www.atomicarchive.com/Movies/Movie5.shtml Click to View Videohttp://www.astro.ubc.ca/~scharein/a311/Sim.html Fusion Simulation

Combining of two atomic nuclei

Lighter Elements, atomic # <27

• Lighter elements fuse to create heavier elements like carbon and oxygen; During the life span of a star fusion can take place up to the formation of Iron

Heavier Elements, atomic # >26

• Supernovas, with their extreme heat and pressure, create all the elements heavier than Iron (Fe)

• After a supernova, a nebula is formed which contains heavier elements

• This nebula forms new stars with a higher concentration of heavier elements

• These stars may also form a supernova, forming a nebula with even a higher concentration of heavier elements

• Leading eventually to the correct combination of different elements necessary to form life