answersLogoWhite

0

Hydrogen and helium are the most abundant elements in the universe. And stars use them for power. To put it simply, hydrogen is fused into helium, and helium into carbon. All the heavier elements are made from there up through iron. The trans-iron elements are made is a supernova. It could be argued that hydrogen and helium are the basic building blocks of other elements.

User Avatar

Wiki User

17y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

Where did hydrogen and helium in the universe come from?

Hydrogen and helium were mainly produced during the Big Bang, the event that created the universe. Roughly 75% of the normal matter in the universe is hydrogen and about 25% is helium. These elements have since played a fundamental role in the formation and evolution of all other elements in the universe through processes like nuclear fusion in stars.


What are the top 3 elements in the universe?

The top three elements in the universe are hydrogen, helium, and oxygen. Hydrogen is the most abundant, making up about 75% of the universe's elemental mass, while helium accounts for about 24%. Oxygen, though less abundant, plays a crucial role in the formation of stars and planets and is essential for life as we know it. These elements were primarily formed during the Big Bang and through stellar nucleosynthesis.


what's the meaning of primordial helium?

Primordial helium refers to the helium that was formed during the Big Bang nucleosynthesis, approximately 3 to 20 minutes after the Big Bang. This process produced about 25% of the universe's mass in helium, along with hydrogen and trace amounts of other light elements. Unlike helium produced in stars (stellar helium), primordial helium is a remnant of the universe's early conditions and is found in the interstellar medium and as part of the cosmic background. It plays a crucial role in understanding the universe's evolution and the formation of cosmic structures.


Does Neptune have helium in its atmosphere?

Yes, Neptune's atmosphere contains helium, along with other gases such as hydrogen and methane. Helium is present in trace amounts and plays a role in the overall composition and dynamics of Neptune's atmosphere.


Why is it significant for life on earth that hydrogen and helium can attain a high velocity?

The high velocity of hydrogen and helium is significant for life on Earth because these elements are crucial for the formation of stars and galaxies, which in turn create the conditions necessary for planet formation. Hydrogen, as the most abundant element in the universe, fuels nuclear fusion in stars, leading to the production of heavier elements essential for life. Additionally, the movement of these gases influences cosmic processes, including supernovae, which distribute elements throughout the universe, enriching the material from which planets and life can emerge. Thus, their high velocity plays a vital role in the cosmic cycles that support life.

Related Questions

The two elements most abundant in the universe are?

Hydrogen and helium are the two most abundant elements in the universe.


Where did hydrogen and helium in the universe come from?

Hydrogen and helium were mainly produced during the Big Bang, the event that created the universe. Roughly 75% of the normal matter in the universe is hydrogen and about 25% is helium. These elements have since played a fundamental role in the formation and evolution of all other elements in the universe through processes like nuclear fusion in stars.


What role does hydrogen play in nuclear fusion?

Hydrogen is what gets fused together to form Helium.


What are the top 3 elements in the universe?

The top three elements in the universe are hydrogen, helium, and oxygen. Hydrogen is the most abundant, making up about 75% of the universe's elemental mass, while helium accounts for about 24%. Oxygen, though less abundant, plays a crucial role in the formation of stars and planets and is essential for life as we know it. These elements were primarily formed during the Big Bang and through stellar nucleosynthesis.


I know that the Sun burns hydrogen to create helium but what is the Sun doing with all of this helium What would happen if the sun had no helium And what role does helium play in making the sun hot?

The Sun uses the energy produced from converting hydrogen into helium through nuclear fusion to generate heat and light. If the Sun had no helium, it wouldn't be able to sustain this fusion process, leading to a lack of energy production and a collapse in the Sun's structure. Helium plays a crucial role in the fusion reactions that occur in the Sun, contributing to the high temperatures and pressures required to sustain nuclear fusion.


what's the meaning of primordial helium?

Primordial helium refers to the helium that was formed during the Big Bang nucleosynthesis, approximately 3 to 20 minutes after the Big Bang. This process produced about 25% of the universe's mass in helium, along with hydrogen and trace amounts of other light elements. Unlike helium produced in stars (stellar helium), primordial helium is a remnant of the universe's early conditions and is found in the interstellar medium and as part of the cosmic background. It plays a crucial role in understanding the universe's evolution and the formation of cosmic structures.


Explain the role of helium in stars?

Helium is an important element in stars as it is a byproduct of nuclear fusion, the process that powers a star. In the core of a star, hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium, releasing energy in the process. This energy generation is what allows stars to shine and sustain their existence.


Does Neptune have helium in its atmosphere?

Yes, Neptune's atmosphere contains helium, along with other gases such as hydrogen and methane. Helium is present in trace amounts and plays a role in the overall composition and dynamics of Neptune's atmosphere.


Why is it significant for life on earth that hydrogen and helium can attain a high velocity?

The high velocity of hydrogen and helium is significant for life on Earth because these elements are crucial for the formation of stars and galaxies, which in turn create the conditions necessary for planet formation. Hydrogen, as the most abundant element in the universe, fuels nuclear fusion in stars, leading to the production of heavier elements essential for life. Additionally, the movement of these gases influences cosmic processes, including supernovae, which distribute elements throughout the universe, enriching the material from which planets and life can emerge. Thus, their high velocity plays a vital role in the cosmic cycles that support life.


What are two things stars are fueled by?

Stars are primarily fueled by nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium atoms, releasing energy in the process. This fusion reaction powers the star by converting mass into energy. Additionally, some heavier elements like carbon, oxygen, and iron play a role in the later stages of a star's life cycle, providing fuel for different fusion processes.


What are the elements in Betelgeuse?

Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star in the constellation Orion, primarily consists of hydrogen (around 74%) and helium (about 24%). It also contains heavier elements, including carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen, which are produced through nuclear fusion in its core. These elements contribute to its distinctive spectral characteristics and play a role in the star's lifecycle as it evolves towards supernova.


What does hydrogen do for the solar system?

It plays an important role in solar system. two nuclei of hydrogen fussed in sun forming the helium nucleus and huge amount of energy which is essential for life on earth.