Stellar alchemy: The origin of the chemical elements
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States). Nuclear Science Div.
By examining the light that comes from the stars, one can deduce a great deal about the nature of the universe. Remarkably, it seems that the same basic laws of physics and chemistry apply everywhere. Furthermore, all observable astronomical objects seem to be made up of the same 92 chemical elements found on Earth. From such observations, we now know that approximately 73% of the mass of the visible universe is in the form of hydrogen, and helium makes up about 25%. Everything else represents only 2% of the mass of the universe. Although the abundance of these heavy (A > 4) elements seems quite low, most of the atoms in our bodies and in the Earth are a part of this small portion. It is generally believed that the hydrogen and helium were produced in the hot, dense conditions prevailing at the birth of the universe known as the big bang. As discussed in the article the heavy elements are the products of nuclear reactions in stars.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 6808387
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Chemical Education; (United States), Vol. 71:10; ISSN 0021-9584
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GENERAL PHYSICS
STARS
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
CAPTURE
COSMOCHEMISTRY
ELEMENT ABUNDANCE
MASS
NEUTRINO DETECTION
SOLAR NEUTRINOS
STAR BURNING
STAR EVOLUTION
SUPERNOVAE
ABUNDANCE
CHEMISTRY
DETECTION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ERUPTIVE VARIABLE STARS
FERMIONS
LEPTONS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
NEUTRINOS
RADIATION DETECTION
RADIATIONS
SOLAR PARTICLES
SOLAR RADIATION
STELLAR RADIATION
SYNTHESIS
VARIABLE STARS
661300* - Other Aspects of Physical Science- (1992-)