What is the most common element in the periodic table

General
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what is the most common element in the periodic table

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What is the most common element in the periodic table?

Answer:

When considering the most common element in the periodic table from a cosmic perspective, the answer is hydrogen. This element, symbolized as H, is not only the most abundant element in the universe but also forms the building blocks for other elements through nuclear fusion in stars.

Solution by Steps:

  1. Cosmic Abundance:

    • Hydrogen is the simplest element, consisting of just one proton and one electron. It constitutes about 75% of the elemental mass of the universe. Most of the visible matter in the cosmos, including stars, is primarily composed of hydrogen.
    • The process of nuclear fusion in stars converts hydrogen into helium, and this cycle generates heavier elements over time.

  2. On Earth:

    • While hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, on Earth it is less apparent in its pure form due to its lightness and reactivity, which means it is often found in compounds such as water (H_2O).
    • The most common elements in the Earth’s crust are oxygen and silicon, with oxygen being the most prevalent, constituting about 46.6% of the Earth’s crust by mass, mostly in oxide minerals.

  3. Human Perspective:

    • In terms of biological systems and their building blocks, oxygen is a significant element due to its role in water and organic molecules. Humans, for instance, are composed mostly of oxygen (65% by mass), carbon (18.5%), hydrogen (9.5%), and nitrogen (3.2%).

Additional Insights:

  • Periodic Table Characteristics:

    • Hydrogen is the first element on the periodic table, located at the top of Group 1. It is unique in that it does not easily fit into any single group due to its properties.
    • Despite its simplicity, hydrogen’s roles in chemistry are vast, from its presence in water and organic compounds to its usage as a fuel.

  • Why Hydrogen is Common:

    • The prevalence of hydrogen is attributed to the conditions following the Big Bang. During the first few minutes of the universe, conditions favored the formation of hydrogen over other elements.
    • The immense nuclear reactions in stars continually cycle hydrogen into other elements and release energy, sustaining stellar life cycles.

Final Answer:

Hydrogen (H) is the most common element in the periodic table, especially when considering the composition of the universe as a whole. On Earth, hydrogen is also common but is predominantly found in compounds rather than in its elemental form.