- according to the Big Bang theory, the

temperatures in the early universe were so high

that fusion reactions could take place.

- weak nuclear interaction.

Formation of light elements: hydrogen, deuterium,

helium (two isotopes), lithium and trace amounts of
beryllium.
 The origin of all the the naturally occuring elements
fall into two phases:

• Big Bang or Primordial Nucleosynthesis – the origin of

the “light” elements; and

• Stellar Nucleosynthesis – the origin and production of

all the “heavy” elements.
 Light Elements

It is an observed fact that most of the

matter in the universe are the three lightest
elements: hydrogen, helium, and lithium. These
elements were present during the initial
formation of the universe, with the heavier
elements being later formed in massive stars.