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The miracle of even-numbered atoms: Why are they more common in the universe?
The abundance of elements in the Universe reveals the history of their formation and the physical processes that have occurred there. According to modern astronomy, most of the elements were created during the Big Bang, mainly hydrogen and helium. The amounts of these elements relative to other elements can be measured in terms of mass fraction or mole fraction. In particular, the ubiquity of even-numbered atoms breaks our understanding of the composition of elements and makes people begin to think about the reasons behind it.
According to the Oddo–Harkins law, even-numbered atoms have higher stability and formation energy, leading to their high relative abundance in the universe.
Differences between even and odd numbered atoms
The distribution of elements in the universe presents stark contrasts. Even-numbered atoms, such as helium, carbon, oxygen, and sulfur, are ubiquitous, while their odd-numbered neighbors, such as hydrogen, lithium, and nitrogen, along with their fellow elements, appear scarce. This phenomenon is more than just chance; it illustrates the energy barriers and chemical interactions they face during their creation.
The Big Bang and Supernova: The Origin of the Elements
Most of the elements in the universe were created during the Big Bang, with hydrogen and helium producing about 98% of the total mass. The other heavy elements, although less than 2% in quantity, are produced by supernova explosions and nuclear fusion reactions in red giant stars.
The fact that hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, with helium second, gives even-numbered atoms an edge in the overall ratio.
After hydrogen and helium, oxygen ranks third in abundance, which, although not corresponding to its higher atomic number (8), reflects a deeper cosmogenic process.
Distribution of elements on Earth
On Earth, the distribution of elements is similar to that in the universe. However, Earth has lost many volatile elements, such as hydrogen and helium, due to its history and physical processes. These elements, of course, are products of the early formation of the solar system.
Cosmochemical interactions
Different parts of the earth also show differentiation of elements. The crust, mantle and core have different degrees of influence on the distribution of elements. Light silicates are abundant in the crust, while metallic iron and nickel are concentrated in the core.
Some heavy elements, especially iron and its isotopes, have become important components of interstellar nucleosynthesis, which is key to the formation of the structure of matter.
Abundance of elements and interstellar phenomena
The composition of elements not only affects the properties of matter, but also plays an important role in various phenomena in the universe. These elements are like gold mines that are constantly influencing the development of other galaxies and supernovas. Understanding these phenomena can give us a deeper understanding of the origin and evolution of the universe.
Conclusion: Stop and think
From the beginning of the universe to the present day, the abundance of elements reveals real physical processes and chemical applications. The advantages of even-numbered atoms and how they are created is a science worthy of further exploration. What kind of novel combinations of elements will appear in the future universe to challenge our existing understanding?
