Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

  
name         Michael A. G.
status       student
age          14

Question -   How much time passed before the elements as we know them
were formed?
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Elements of atomic number less than iron form as the result of the burning
if hydrogen to helium and up the periodic table. This process has gone on
for much of the age of the Universe. Heavier elements are formed by titanic
supernovas of older large stars. These events too have occurred a bit more
recently, since supernovas do not occur until a star has burned all its
fusion fuel and begun gravitational collapse. These events are still
occurring. So the formation of elements, while more wide spread in the
older Universe is a dynamic process that continues.

Vince Calder
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