Of course, in our understanding, this is something integral. But it has its own structure and composition. This includes all celestial bodies and objects, matter, energy, gas, dust and much more. All this was formed and exists, regardless of whether we see it or feel it.

Scientists have long been considering such questions: What formed such a universe? And what elements fill it?

Today we will talk about which element is the most common in the universe.

It turns out that this chemical element is the lightest in the world. In addition, its monoatomic form makes up approximately 87% of the entire composition of the universe. In addition, it is found in most molecular compounds. Even in water, or, for example, it is part of organic matter. In addition, hydrogen is a particularly important part of acid-base reactions.
In addition, the element is soluble in most metals. Interestingly, hydrogen is odorless, colorless, and tasteless.

During their study, scientists referred to hydrogen as a combustible gas.
As soon as they did not define it. At one time, he bore the name of giving birth to water, and then a water-giving substance.
It was only in 1824 that it was named hydrogen.

Hydrogen is a part of 88.6% of all atoms. The rest is more helium. And only a small part are other elements.
Consequently, stars and other gases are mainly composed of hydrogen.
By the way, again, it is also present in stellar temperatures. However, in the form of plasma. And in outer space, it is represented in the form of molecules, atoms and ions. Interestingly, hydrogen is capable of forming molecular clouds.

Characterization of hydrogen

Hydrogen is a unique element because it does not have a neutron. It contains only one proton and one electron.
As indicated, this is the lightest gas. It is important that the less the mass of the molecules, the higher their speed. Even the temperature does not affect this.
The thermal conductivity of hydrogen is one of the highest among all gases.
Among other things, it is highly soluble in metals, which affects its ability to diffuse through them. Sometimes the process leads to destruction. For example, the interaction of hydrogen and carbon. In this case, decarbonization occurs.

The emergence of hydrogen

Arose in the universe after the Big Bang. Like all chemical elements. According to theory, in the first microseconds after the explosion, the temperature of the universe was above 100 billion degrees. Which formed a bond of three quarks. In turn, this interaction created a proton. Thus, the nucleus of the hydrogen atom arose. As the expansion proceeded, the temperature dropped and the quarks formed protons and neutrons. This is how hydrogen actually came into being.

In the interval from 1 to 100 seconds after the formation of the universe, some of the protons and neutrons combined. Thus, forming another element, helium.
Subsequently, the expansion of space and, as a consequence, a decrease in temperature, suspended the connective reactions. Importantly, they re-launched within the stars. This is how the atoms of other chemical elements were formed.
As a result, it turns out that hydrogen and helium are the main engines for the formation of other elements.

Helium is generally the second most abundant element in the universe. Its share is 11.3% of the entire outer space.

Helium properties

It, like hydrogen, is odorless, colorless and tasteless. In addition, it is the second lightest gas. But its boiling point is the lowest known.

Helium is an inert, non-toxic and monoatomic gas. Its thermal conductivity is high. According to this characteristic, it again ranks second after hydrogen.
Extraction of helium is carried out by a separation method at a low temperature.
Interestingly, helium was previously considered a metal. But in the process of studying it was determined that it was a gas. Moreover, the main one in the composition of the universe.

All the elements on Earth, with the exception of hydrogen and helium, were generated billions of years ago by the alchemy of stars, some of which are now inconspicuous white dwarfs somewhere on the other side of the Milky Way. The nitrogen of our DNA, the calcium of our teeth, the iron of our blood, the carbon of our apple pies are all created in the bowels of shrinking stars.

We are made of stellar matter.
Carl Sagan

Applying elements

Humanity has learned to extract and use chemical elements for its own benefit. So hydrogen and helium are used in many fields of activity. For example, in:

• Food Industry;
• metallurgy;
• chemical industry;
• oil refining;
• electronics manufacturing;
• cosmetic industry;
• geology;
• even in the military sphere, etc.

As you can see, these elements play an important role in the life of the universe. Obviously, our very existence is directly dependent on them. We know that every minute there is growth and movement. And despite the fact that they are individually small, everything around is based on these elements.
Truly, hydrogen and helium, as well as other chemical elements, are unique and amazing. Perhaps it is impossible to argue with this.

It was a sensation - it turns out that the most important substance on Earth consists of two equally important chemical elements. "AiF" decided to look at the periodic table and remember thanks to what elements and compounds the Universe exists, as well as life on Earth and human civilization.

HYDROGEN (H)

Where occurs: the most widespread element in the Universe, its main "building material". Stars, including the Sun, are made of it. Thanks to thermonuclear fusion with the participation of hydrogen, the Sun will warm our planet for another 6.5 billion years.

Why is it useful: in industry - in the production of ammonia, soap and plastics. Hydrogen energy has great prospects: this gas does not pollute the environment, since during combustion it gives only water vapor.

CARBON (C)

Where occurs: any organism is largely made of carbon. In the human body, this element occupies about 21%. So, our muscles are 2/3 of it. In a free state, it occurs naturally in the form of graphite and diamond.

Why is it useful: food, energy and many others. others. The class of compounds based on carbon is huge - hydrocarbons, proteins, fats, etc. This element is indispensable in nanotechnology.

NITROGEN (N)

Where occurs: the Earth's atmosphere is 75% nitrogen. It is part of proteins, amino acids, hemoglobin, etc.

Why is it useful: necessary for the existence of animals and plants. In industry it is used as a gaseous medium for packaging and storage, as a refrigerant. With its help, various compounds are synthesized - ammonia, fertilizers, explosives, dyes.

OXYGEN (O)

Where occurs: The most common element on Earth, it accounts for about 47% of the mass of the solid earth's crust. Sea and fresh waters are 89% oxygen, the atmosphere 23%.

Why is it useful: Thanks to oxygen, living things can breathe, without it fire would not be possible. This gas is widely used in medicine, metallurgy, food industry, and energy.

CARBON GAS (CO2)

Where occurs: In the atmosphere, in the sea water.

Why is it useful: Thanks to this compound, plants can breathe. The process of absorbing carbon dioxide from the air is called photosynthesis. It is the main source of biological energy. It is worth recalling that the energy that we receive from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) has been accumulated in the bowels of the earth for millions of years thanks to photosynthesis.

IRON (Fe)

Where occurs: one of the most common elements in the solar system. The cores of the terrestrial planets consist of it.

Why is it useful: metal used by man since ancient times. A whole historical era was called the Iron Age. Now up to 95% of the world production of metals is accounted for by iron, this is the main component of steels and cast irons.

SILVER (Ag)

Where occurs: One of the scarce items. Previously found in nature in its native form.

Why is it useful: Since the middle of the 13th century, it has become a traditional material for making tableware. Possesses unique properties, therefore it is used in various industries - in jewelry, photography, electrical engineering and electronics. The disinfecting properties of silver are also known.

GOLD (Au)

Where occurs: previously found in nature in its native form. It is mined in the mines.

Why is it useful: the most important element of the world financial system, since its reserves are small. It has long been used as money. All bank gold reserves are currently estimated

in 32 thousand tons - if you fuse them together, you get a cube with a side of only 12 m. It is used in medicine, microelectronics, in nuclear research.

SILICON (Si)

Where occurs: In terms of prevalence in the earth's crust, this element ranks second (27-30% of the total mass).

Why is it useful: Silicon is the main material for electronics. Also used in metallurgy and in the production of glass and cement.

WATER (H2O)

Where occurs: Our planet is 71% covered with water. The human body is 65% composed of this compound. There is also water in outer space, in the body of comets.

Why is it useful: It is of key importance in the creation and maintenance of life on Earth, because, due to its molecular properties, it is a universal solvent. Water has many unique properties that we don’t think about. So, if it did not increase in volume during freezing, life simply would not have arisen: water bodies would freeze to the bottom every winter. And so, expanding, the lighter ice remains on the surface, maintaining a viable environment underneath.

We all know that hydrogen fills our Universe by 75%. But do you know what other chemical elements there are that are no less important for our existence and play a significant role in the life of people, animals, plants and our entire Earth? Elements from this ranking shape our entire universe!

10. Sulfur (prevalence relative to silicon - 0.38)

This chemical element is listed under the symbol S in the periodic table and is characterized by atomic number 16. Sulfur is very natural.

9. Iron (prevalence relative to silicon - 0.6)

It is designated by the symbol Fe, atomic number - 26. Iron is very often found in nature, it plays an especially important role in the formation of the inner and outer shell of the Earth's core.

8. Magnesium (abundance relative to silicon - 0.91)

In the periodic table, magnesium can be found under the symbol Mg, and its atomic number is 12. What is most surprising about this chemical element is that it is most often released during the explosion of stars in the process of their transformation into supernova bodies.

7. Silicon (prevalence relative to silicon - 1)

Designated as Si. The atomic number of silicon is 14. This gray-blue metalloid is very rarely found in the earth's crust in its pure form, but it is quite common in other substances. For example, it can even be found in plants.

6. Carbon (prevalence relative to silicon - 3.5)

Carbon in Mendeleev's table of chemical elements is listed under the symbol C, its atomic number is 6. The most famous allotropic modification of carbon is one of the most coveted precious stones in the world - diamonds. Carbon is actively used in other industrial purposes for more everyday purposes.

5. Nitrogen (abundance relative to silicon - 6.6)

Symbol N, atomic number 7. First discovered by Scottish physician Daniel Rutherford, nitrogen is most commonly found in the form of nitric acid and nitrates.

4. Neon (abundance relative to silicon - 8.6)

It is designated by the symbol Ne, atomic number - 10. It is no secret that this particular chemical element is associated with a beautiful glow.

3. Oxygen (prevalence relative to silicon - 22)

A chemical element under the symbol O and with atomic number 8, oxygen is indispensable for our existence! But this does not mean that it is present only on Earth and serves only for human lungs. The universe is full of surprises.

2. Helium (abundance relative to silicon - 3.100)

The symbol for helium is He, the atomic number is 2. It is colorless, odorless and tasteless, non-toxic, and its boiling point is the lowest among all chemical elements. And thanks to him, the balls soar up!

1. Hydrogen (abundance relative to silicon - 40,000)

True number one on our list, hydrogen is in the periodic table under the symbol H and has atomic number 1. It is the lightest chemical element in the periodic table and the most abundant element in the entire studied universe.

The universe hides many secrets in its depths. For a long time, people have tried to unravel as many of them as possible, and, despite the fact that this is not always possible, science is moving forward by leaps and bounds, allowing us to learn more and more about our origins. So, for example, many will be interested in what is the most common in the Universe. Most people will immediately think of water, and they will be partly right, because the most common element is hydrogen.

The most abundant element in the universe

It is extremely rare that people have to deal with pure hydrogen. However, in nature, it is very often found in connection with other elements. For example, by reacting with oxygen, hydrogen turns into water. And this is far from the only compound that contains this element, it is found everywhere, not only on our planet, but also in space.

How the Earth appeared

Many millions of years ago, hydrogen, without exaggeration, became a building material for the entire Universe. After all, after the big bang, which became the first stage in the creation of the world, nothing existed except this element. elementary, since it consists of only one atom. Over time, the most abundant element in the universe began to form clouds, which later became stars. And already inside them, reactions took place, as a result of which new, more complex elements appeared, which gave birth to planets.

Hydrogen

This element accounts for about 92% of the atoms in the universe. But it is found not only in the composition of stars, interstellar gas, but also common elements on our planet. Most often it exists in a bound form, and the most common compound is, of course, water.

In addition, hydrogen is part of a number of carbon compounds that form oil and natural gas.

Output

Despite the fact that it is the most abundant element in the whole world, surprisingly, it can be dangerous to humans, since it sometimes ignites when it reacts with air. To understand how important hydrogen played in the creation of the Universe, it is enough to realize that without it nothing would have appeared on Earth.

In 1825, the Swedish chemist Jones Jakob Berzelius obtained pure elemental silicon by the action of metallic potassium on silicon fluoride SiF4. The new element was given the name "silicium" (from Latin silex - flint). The Russian name "silicon" was introduced in 1834 by the Russian chemist German Ivanovich Hess. Translated in Greek kremnos - "cliff, mountain".

Silicon is the second most abundant element in the earth's crust (after oxygen). The mass of the earth's crust is 27.6-29.5% silicon. Silicon is a component of several hundred different natural silicates and aluminosilicates. The most common is silica or silicon oxide (IV) SiO2 (river sand, quartz, flint, etc.), making up about 12% of the earth's crust (by weight). Silicon is not found in free form in nature.

The crystal lattice of silicon is cubic, face-centered, of the diamond type, parameter a = 0.54307 nm (at high pressures, other polymorphic modifications of silicon were obtained), but due to the longer bond length between Si-Si atoms compared to the C-C bond length, the hardness of silicon is significantly less than diamond. Silicon is fragile, only when heated above 800 ° C does it become a plastic substance. Interestingly, silicon is transparent to infrared radiation.

Elemental silicon is a typical semiconductor. The band gap at room temperature is 1.09 eV. The concentration of charge carriers in silicon with intrinsic conductivity at room temperature is 1.5 · 1016m-3. The electrophysical properties of crystalline silicon are greatly influenced by the microimpurities contained in it. To obtain single crystals of silicon with hole conductivity, additives of Group III elements - boron, aluminum, gallium and indium are introduced into silicon, with electronic conductivity - additives of Group V elements - phosphorus, arsenic or antimony. The electrical properties of silicon can be varied by changing the processing conditions for single crystals, in particular, by treating the silicon surface with various chemical agents.

Currently, silicon is the main material for electronics. Monocrystalline silicon is a material for gas laser mirrors. Sometimes silicon (technical grade) and its alloy with iron (ferrosilicon) are used to produce hydrogen in the field. Compounds of metals with silicon - silicides, are widely used in industry (for example, electronic and atomic) materials with a wide range of useful chemical, electrical and nuclear properties (resistance to oxidation, neutrons, etc.), as well as silicides of a number of elements are important thermoelectric materials. Silicon is used in metallurgy in the smelting of iron, steel, bronze, silumin, etc. (as a deoxidizer and modifier, as well as an alloying component).