The origin of Elements Flashcards
Which of the following subatomic particles defines an element’s identity?
a) Electron
b) Proton
c) Neutron
d) Photon
b) Proton
What process is responsible for the formation of elements heavier than iron?
a) Big Bang Nucleosynthesis
b) Stellar Fusion
c) Supernova Nucleosynthesis
d) Cosmic Ray Spallation
c) Supernova Nucleosynthesis
Why is iron (Fe) considered the last element formed by fusion in stars?
a) It is the lightest element.
b) It requires too much energy to fuse further.
c) It is only produced in supernovae.
d) It is unstable and decays quickly.
b) It requires too much energy to fuse further.
Why are hydrogen (H) and helium (He) the most abundant elements in the universe?
a) They are the heaviest elements.
b) They were created during the Big Bang.
c) They are formed by neutron capture.
d) They are primarily produced by black holes.
b) They were created during the Big Bang.
Which element is relatively rare due to its unstable intermediate state during fusion?
a) Carbon (C)
b) Oxygen (O)
c) Beryllium (Be)
d) Neon (Ne)
c) Beryllium (Be)
True or false: Neutrons have no charge but help stabilize the nucleus.
True
True or False: The periodic table is arranged based on an element’s number of neutrons.
False - it’s arranged by atomic number, which is the number of protons
True or false: Elements with even atomic numbers are generally more abundant than those with odd atomic numbers.
True
True or false: All elements found on Earth originated from the Earth itself.
False - They originated from stars and supernovae
true or false: Noble gases are highly reactive due to their full outer electron shells.
False - They are unreactive because their outer shells are full.
A variant of an element with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons. Example: Carbon-12 and Carbon-14.
Isotope
What happens in a supernova that allows the formation of elements heavier than iron?
During a supernova explosion, immense energy and free neutrons enable rapid neutron capture, leading to the formation of elements heavier than iron.
Why is carbon (C) a key element for life on Earth?
Carbon has unique bonding properties that allow it to form complex molecules essential for life, such as DNA and proteins.
How do we determine the composition of distant stars and galaxies?
By analyzing the absorption and emission spectra of light, which show specific patterns associated with different elements.
Explain why hydrogen and helium are rare on Earth compared to the universe.
Hydrogen and helium are very light and were mostly lost to space due to Earth’s gravity, whereas heavier elements remained.
Which of the following statements about neutrons is true?
a) They have a positive charge.
b) They have the same mass as electrons.
c) They help stabilize the nucleus by reducing proton repulsion.
d) They define an element’s identity.
c) They help stabilize the nucleus by reducing proton repulsion.
What happens when an isotope has too many or too few neutrons compared to protons?
a) It becomes more stable.
b) It becomes radioactive.
c) It loses its identity as an element.
d) It changes its atomic number.
b) It becomes radioactive.
Why do isotopes of an element have different masses?
a) They have different numbers of protons.
b) They have different numbers of electrons.
c) They have different numbers of neutrons.
d) They have different energy levels.
c) They have different numbers of neutrons.
Why are hydrogen and helium the most abundant elements in the universe?
a) They are the heaviest elements.
b) They were formed during the Big Bang.
c) They are formed in supernovae.
d) They decay into heavier elements over time.
b) They were formed during the Big Bang.
What is the primary reason heavier elements like iron (Fe) are more common on Earth than in the universe?
a) They were formed during the Big Bang.
b) They are produced in the sun.
c) They concentrated during planetary formation.
d) They are formed by cosmic ray spallation.
c) They concentrated during planetary formation.
Which of the following statements about Earth’s elemental composition is correct?
a) Hydrogen and helium are the most abundant elements on Earth.
b) Heavier elements like iron and nickel are concentrated in Earth’s core.
c) The noble gases are more abundant on Earth than in the universe.
d) The Earth’s elements were formed independently of the rest of the universe.
b) Heavier elements like iron and nickel are concentrated in Earth’s core.
Which process is responsible for creating elements heavier than hydrogen in stars?
a) Big Bang Nucleosynthesis
b) Stellar Fusion
c) Supernova Explosions
d) Cosmic Ray Spallation
b) Stellar Fusion
Which element marks the end of energy-producing fusion in a star’s core?
a) Carbon (C)
b) Oxygen (O)
c) Iron (Fe)
d) Uranium (U)
c) Iron (Fe)
Which of the following elements is NOT primarily produced in normal stellar fusion?
a) Helium (He)
b) Oxygen (O)
c) Iron (Fe)
d) Gold (Au)
d) Gold (Au)
What happens to a massive star when it can no longer undergo fusion?
a) It becomes a white dwarf.
b) It undergoes a supernova explosion.
c) It turns into a neutron star immediately.
d) It starts producing hydrogen again.
b) It undergoes a supernova explosion.
What nuclear process occurs in a supernova to create elements heavier than iron?
a) Slow neutron capture
b) Rapid neutron capture (r-process)
c) Proton-proton chain reaction
d) Radioactive decay
b) Rapid neutron capture (r-process)
Which force prevents the nucleus of an atom from flying apart due to proton repulsion?
a) Electromagnetic force
b) Weak nuclear force
c) Gravitational force
d) Strong nuclear force
d) Strong nuclear force
Which elements are produced in the core of our Sun?
a) Only hydrogen (H)
b) Hydrogen (H) and helium (He)
c) Hydrogen (H), helium (He), and carbon (C)
d) Hydrogen (H), helium (He), and iron (Fe)
b) Hydrogen (H) and helium (He)
Why are elements heavier than iron (Fe) found on Earth?
a) They were formed in the Big Bang.
b) They were created in our Sun.
c) They came from earlier supernova explosions.
d) They were produced by volcanic activity.
c) They came from earlier supernova explosions.
What process led to the formation of planets in the solar system?
a) The Big Bang
b) Cosmic ray spallation
c) Accretion of dust and gas
d) Supernova explosions
c) Accretion of dust and gas
What happened to light elements like hydrogen (H) and helium (He) during Earth’s formation?
a) They sank into Earth’s core.
b) They were lost to space due to low gravity.
c) They were converted into heavier elements.
d) They formed radioactive isotopes.
b) They were lost to space due to low gravity.
Why is carbon (C) considered essential for life?
a) It forms strong, stable covalent bonds.
b) It is the most abundant element in the universe.
c) It is a noble gas and doesn’t react.
d) It is radioactive and produces energy.
a) It forms strong, stable covalent bonds.
Which factor determines whether an element is used in biological systems?
a) Its radioactivity
b) Its abundance and functional properties
c) Its size and mass
d) Its location in the periodic table
b) Its abundance and functional properties
Why are some elements toxic to living organisms?
a) They are too rare in nature.
b) They form unstable isotopes in biological systems.
c) They mimic essential elements but interfere with biological functions.
d) They have too many protons.
c) They mimic essential elements but interfere with biological functions.
Why are noble gases (e.g., helium, neon) not commonly used in biological systems?
a) They are too heavy.
b) They are highly reactive.
c) They do not easily form chemical bonds.
d) They are too rare in the universe.
c) They do not easily form chemical bonds.
