So, chemical elements are distinguished from each other by the number of protons inside their atoms.
But why did these differences come about in the first place? What made chemical elements keep their inherent properties throughout time?
I’m really trying to get behind this natural phenomenon, since any physical change we see in the world is explained by the ability of atoms to attach and detach.
In: 2
The difference in the number of protons inside chemical elements is due to how these elements were formed in the universe.
In the beginning, after the Big Bang, the universe was made up of hydrogen and helium atoms. Over time, the gravitational forces in space caused these atoms to come together and form stars. Inside these stars, nuclear fusion reactions occurred, which caused the hydrogen atoms to fuse together and form helium atoms. This process also created heavier elements, like carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen.
As the stars aged and eventually died, they expelled these heavier elements into space, which then formed new stars and planets. This is how elements with varying numbers of protons, such as gold, silver, and iron, came to exist in the universe.
So, the inherent properties of elements are determined by the number of protons in their atoms, which determines their atomic structure and how they interact with other elements. This number of protons is a result of the history of the universe and the processes by which elements were formed.
PS: Not sure, if that’s what you asked for.
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