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Scientists believe that the "Big Bang" generated mosly hydrogen, with a little helium and traces of lithium (the next heavier element) and vanishingly small amounts of anything heavier. Anything heavier was formed by nuclear fusion in the cores of stars.

But in order for an atom to be here on Earth our out in space, it had to get OUT of the star. And about the only way for large quantities of matter to get out of a star is for the star to have exploded in a nova or supernova explosion.

So every atom of matter here on Earth - including every atom of carbon or iron in your bodies - was created in the core of a long-dead star.

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Where were the majority of elements located after the big bang?

The matter of the Universe was scattered in space; stars and galaxies formed much later. By the way, only hydrogen (#1) and helium (#2) existed in the beginning, and perhaps a small amount of lithium (#3); the "metals" (i.e., heavier elements) were formed later within the stars, through fusion.


What element was formed first?

We believe that the only elements formed during the Big Bang was hydrogen (about 97%), helium (about 2%) and lithium (less than 1%). These are the three simplest elements. We believe that all of the heavier elements were created in the cores of stars that later exploded, scattering their mass across the galaxy. So all of the carbon in our bodies, the iron in our blood and the gold in our jewelry have been through the centers of stars at least once.


Were stars formed before the planets?

Yes. Planets orbit around the stars, so the stars must have preceded the planets. Additionally, our concept of the "big bang" implies that the early universe was composed of 98% or more hydrogen, a percent and a bit as helium, and "everything else" as about 1%. All of the heavier solid elements were created in supernova explosions in the cores of massive stars.


Do distant galaxies have more heavy elements than nearby galaxies?

The distribution of metals (In astronomy, that is any element other that hydrogen and helium) is reliant of the population stars. (See related question) Metal rich stars, population I stars, are the latest "breed" of stars, whereas population III stars are the oldest and are classed as metal free stars. So the furthest galaxies are likely to be formed from the initial gases from the big bang and will be metal free stars,


Why does your sun have 2 percent heavier elements and from where do they come?

I think it's our Sun which gets heavier elements from fusion of hydrogen and other light elements.Edit: Our Sun does create helium from hydrogen by fusion, but that's all. The reason it has heavier elements is that these come from the nebula that formed the Sun. The heavier elements are thought to have come from stars that exploded as "supernovas", a long time ago.

Related Questions

What chemical elements are formed inside stars?

Hydrogen and helium are primarily formed inside stars through nuclear fusion processes. As stars age and go through various stages of stellar evolution, they can also produce heavier elements such as carbon, oxygen, and iron through fusion reactions in their cores.


How are elements heavier than hydrogen formed?

Elements heavier than hydrogen are formed through nuclear fusion processes in stars. When lighter elements fuse together in the intense heat and pressure within a star's core, they can form heavier elements. This process continues throughout a star's life until elements up to iron are created. Elements heavier than iron are formed through supernova explosions or in the collisions of neutron stars.


How elements are formed in stars?

By nuclear fusion and neutron captureRight now the sun is fusing hydrogen into helium.Later in its life it will fuse helium into carbon.All elements are made inside stars. Massive stars are more efficient than low mass stars at making elements heavier than carbon.


Where are heavy elements like nitrogen and iron formed?

Such elements are formed within stars. The heavy elements which are currently here on Earth were formed in stars some time ago, and then they were blown into space in supernova explosions.


How are the elements formed in earth?

They're not formed here. They were formed in stars - mainly as they exploded.


What does nucleur fusion create inside stars?

First hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium, and then as the star ages heavier and heavier elements are formed.


Do stars form new elements?

Yes - in fact, most of the elements ONLY exist because they were formed in stars.


What resources are older than Earth?

The materials that formed the Earth are in fact OLDER than the Earth, because they were around BEFORE the Earth was formed. The Elements that you are made of were formed inside STARS before the Earth ever existed.


What elements are formed in cool stars?

In cool stars, elements such as hydrogen and helium are primarily produced through nuclear fusion in their cores. Elements heavier than helium (e.g., carbon, oxygen, and iron) are formed through nucleosynthesis processes during the later stages of a star's lifecycle, such as in red giant stars or during supernova events.


How are elements formed?

Hydrogen and helium were formed shortly after the creation of the universe (when the protons and alpha particles combined with electrons). Everything else was formed within the core of stars (by fusion reactions).


What are the heavier elements in this universe formed by?

Heavier elements in the universe are primarily formed through nuclear fusion processes within the cores of stars. Elements beyond iron are typically formed in supernova explosions, where the extreme conditions allow for the synthesis of elements such as gold, silver, and uranium.


What is formed from stars?

All elements up to Iron are produced by smaller stars. heavier elements (everything heavier then iron) are produced from larger stars when they go supernova.