Transcript Where do elements come from?
Where do elements come from?
Remember the Big Bang?
The theory states that the Universe today retains an imprint of its initial cosmic mixture of elements.
The Universe consists mostly of … Hydrogen H and Helium He
The First Elements in the Early Universe Hydrogen and Helium were the first elements We viewed many other elements ’ wavelengths using spectroscopy.
Where do the other 90 naturally occurring elements originate (come) from?
Fusion in stars and Supernovae
Elements in the stars as viewed from Earth
Elements are made in stars • Stars are hot ionized balls of gas (plasma) full of energy and are 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.
What is Nuclear Fusion? Combining of atomic nuclei • 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 Video http://www.astro.ubc.ca/~scharein/a311/Sim.html
Fusion Simulation
Lighter Elements: Atomic # ≤ 26 • 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 (Fe)
Heavier Elements: Atomic # > 26 • Supernovas, with their extreme heat and pressure, create all the elements heavier than Iron (Fe) • atomic number 26 • atomic mass 56
• After a supernova, a solar nebula is formed which contains heavier elements • This nebula forms new stars with a higher concentration of heavier elements • Our Sun has 67 different elements and is thus a later generation or “ recycled ” star
Where do elements come from?
Where do elements come from?
•Big Bang •Fusion in Stars H
He
C