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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