How did hydrogen helium and lithium form early in the history of the universe?

The only three elements created in the early universe before stars and galaxies began to form were hydrogen, helium and lithium. According to Big Bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) theory, protons and neutrons combined to form these three elements just a few minutes after the Big Bang.

Why is the universe mostly made of hydrogen and helium?

This is because; the Big Bang is responsible for creating the periodic table elements. Nyman also said that Hydrogen atoms fuse and produce helium, which is the second most abundant and common element in the universe. Both the elements together, i.e. Helium and Hydrogen make up 99\% of the universe.

What were the only two elements in the universe at the very beginning?

During the formation of the universe some 14 billion years ago in the so-called ‘Big Bang’, only the lightest elements were formed – hydrogen and helium along with trace amounts of lithium and beryllium.

Why were elements heavier than helium not formed in the early universe?

Heavy elements couldn’t form right after the Big Bang because there aren’t any stable nuclei with 5 or 8 nucleons.

Why was helium and hydrogen the first elements created?

The low-mass elements, hydrogen and helium, were produced in the hot, dense conditions of the birth of the universe itself. Approximately 15 billion years ago the universe began as an extremely hot and dense region of radiant energy, the Big Bang. Immediately after its formation, it began to expand and cool.

How did other elements form from hydrogen and helium?

Stars create new elements in their cores by squeezing elements together in a process called nuclear fusion. First, stars fuse hydrogen atoms into helium. Helium atoms then fuse to create beryllium, and so on, until fusion in the star’s core has created every element up to iron.

Why were hydrogen and helium The first elements?

The early universe (left) was too hot for electrons to remain bound to atoms. The first elements — hydrogen and helium — couldn’t form until the universe had cooled enough to allow their nuclei to capture electrons (right), about 380,000 years after the Big Bang.

Where did do elements heavier than hydrogen and helium originate in the universe?

stars
It is generally believed that most of the elements in the universe heavier than helium were created in stars when lighter nuclei fuse to make heavier nuclei. The process is called nucleosynthesis. Nucleosynthesis requires a high-speed collision, which can only be achieved with very high temperature.

Why was hydrogen the first element in the periodic table?

Hydrogen have only one electron. Hydrogen is known to be the first element in the periodic table of elements. It has one proton in its nucleus and one outter electron. It is a very light gas and also flammable.