Formation of Light

Elements in the
Universe
Formation of Light Elements in the
Universe

The origin of all the naturally occurring elements fall into

two phases:
1) Big Bang or Primordial Nucleosynthesis
- the origin of the “light” elements; and

2) Stellar Nucleosynthesis
- the origin and production of the heavy
elements
Formation of Light Elements in the
Universe

Big Bang or Primordial

Nucleosynthesis

the leading explanation explains that the

about how the universe universe started as a
began 13.8 billion very dense and hot state
years ago that expanded rapidly.
Formation of Light Elements in the
Universe

forming new particles:

 Protons
 Neutrons
 Electrons
Formation of Light Elements in the
Universe

Nucleosynthesis

is the process that creates new

atomic nucleus from
preexisting nucleons , primarily
protons and neutrons.
How was the universe formed?

How do we use the periodic

table of elements?
Read the short story provided below and find the 5 words
related to physics and chemistry. Use items 1-5 as a guide to
find the words.
 B. Chemistry and Physics words found in the
story:
1. This is the lightest element in the periodic table.
2. Thisis what happens when elements combine
together, usually resulting to new elements.
3. This is the theory which proposes the universe is still
in the process of inflation.
4. This is the term for stars bigger than our own Sun.
5. Thisis what pulls atoms together and what causes the
Earth to orbit the Sun.
 Fact Check!
 Big Bang Theory:
o this is the currently accepted theory
of the origin of the universe
o proposes that everything started
from a singularity which in time
inflated—and continues to do so—
until the world we know of today
started existing approximately 14
billion years ago.
Fact Check!

 Stellar Nucleosynthesis
o this is the birth of
elements through nuclear
fusion that takes place
within stars.
 Fact Check!

 Supernova
othis is the explosion in
the event of a death of
a star.
 Fact Check!

 Neutron-Star Mergers
o this is when stars merge
to form a more massive
star, generating more
energy than normal stars.
 Fact Check!

 Light Elements
o these are elements from Hydrogen to Iron
which form in less massive stars.
 Fact Check!

 Heavy Elements
o these are elements heavier than Iron which
form from massive stars, supernova, or
neutron-star mergers.
 the Big Bang Theory is
the one currently accepted,
theoretically

the universe started with a singularity

defined simply as a point where all matter,
time, space, laws of the universe and reality
itself are condensed—ultimately inflating
(not exploding) since approximately 14
billion years ago until now, according to
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space
Administration).
Why the elements needed to exist
first?

all matter that makes up most of the

universe—including us—are made up
of elements.

 Hydrogen (H)
 Oxygen (O)
 Gold (Au).
 Stellar
Nucleosynthesis

is one of the ways heavier elements are

formed.

Nucleosynthesis explains how new

atomic nucleus are formed from
nucleons preceding from the new ones.
 Nuclear
Fusion
process where neutrons and
protons combine to new atoms

 Hydrogen
 Helium
 Small amounts of Lithium
 Beryllium were formed
Remember :
The number of protons (+) is the
identity of an element, not the number
of neutron (+) nor the number of
electrons (-).