| The elemental atoms ultimately came from the inside of the stars. Hydrogen was created shortly after the Big Bang when the universe had expanded far enough to cool down that protons and electrons could come together to form hydrogens. Hydrogens come together later to form the stars. Nuclear fusion inside the stars starts due to the pressure from gravity. Nuclear fusion of hydrogens turns them into heliums. When the hydrogens at the core of the star are used up, the star collapses and then explodes, throwing the upper crust off. At the core nuclear fusion of heliums starts, forming lithiums. Nuclear fusion of lithium then forms beryllium. The cycles of nuclear fusion of each element type continue to create the heavier and heavier elements. Carbons are created among the way. So is oxygen. During each cycle the star explodes and throws off the elements from the upper crust. After iron is created, nuclear fusion stops. Iron is super stable to resist nuclear fusion. Gravity continues to collapse the star until super nova happens. Super nova is when all the other heavier elements created. Gold, silver, lead, platinum, uranium and others are created during this explosion. The elements come together to form the planets and eventually become part of us. So we were created long ago inside a star. |