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What is the most abundant element in the Universe?
The most abundant element in the universe is hydrogen.
Hydrogen accounts for nearly three-quarters of all matter, while helium makes up nearly one-quarter.
Oxygen is the third most-abundant element in the universe, but the most common element on earth.
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Why is Hydrogen the most abundant element?
The reason hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe goes back to the Big Bang.
The Big Bang quickly led to the formation of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Because hydrogen is the simplest element, it formed most readily.
Technically, even a lone proton classifies as an atom of hydrogen. A neutral atom also has an electron. Most hydrogen atoms don’t have any neutrons, although the less-common isotope deuterium has one neutron and the rarer isotope tritium has two neutrons.
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How are the elements formed?
- Around one quarter of the helium in the universe formed during the Big Bang, but another 3% formed from hydrogen during fusion in stars.
- Oxygen forms from fusion in stars just before they go supernova. As stars age and die the percentage of oxygen in the universe rises.
- Carbon forms mainly in red giants.
- Neon, like oxygen, forms in pre-supernova stars.
- Nitrogen comes from stars like the Sun from the fusion process involving carbon and oxygen.
- Magnesium forms via fusion when massive stars explode.
- Silicon, iron, and sulfur come from exploding massive stars and white dwarf.
- Heavier elements form from merging neutron stars and fusion in dying lower mass stars.
- Technetium and elements heavier than uranium are mainly synthesized in accelerators and nuclear reactors. While it’s possible they might form naturally, they decay so quickly they aren’t present in detectable amounts.
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