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Chemistry (including Biochemistry)/Initial Existence of Elements

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Expert: - 7/1/2008


Question
Hi Dr. Boyter,
I took High School Chemistry this year and I've been kicking around a
nagging question for awhile. Did all elements on the periodic table exist in
the very beginning moments of the universe? As far as I've read, only basic
elements like hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, etc. are mentioned.

Thanks a lot

Answer
If you call the big bang the beginning, there were very few elements then.

http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/universe/bb_tests_ele.html

If you mean after the universe we know had been formed with planets and galaxies, most were present, but you still have all the man-made radioactives that we only know from making them ourselves.

Chemistry (including Biochemistry)

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Dr. Henry Boyter, Jr.

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Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.

Experience

Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.

Education/Credentials
PhD, MS, BS in Chemistry

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