Elements on Earth: Supernova & Planets

In summary, according to the speaker, elements are present on every planet in trace amounts, but this varies depending on the star.
  • #1
yardtick
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If super nova is responsible for all elements on earth, including the ones that humans were made from, why aren't all elements found on every planet?
 
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  • #3
yardtick said:
If super nova is responsible for all elements on earth, including the ones that humans were made from, why aren't all elements found on every planet?

I'd be willing to bet that all natural stable elements and the longer lived unstable ones are found on every planet in at least trace amounts. The differences in the formation of each planet ultimately decides the ratio of one element to another.
 
  • #4
Within 4AU distance from the Sun, temperature was too high favoring only high melting point materials (iron, silica etc) to gather together to form rocky planets. This matter is rare (i.e. just 1% of total matter) and thus the terrestrial planets could not grow bigger. Further away, lower temperature created ices that gathered together to attract huge quantity of Hydrogen and Helium to become gas giants.
 
  • #5
Still, I'm sure Drakkith is right, and all elements are found on every planet, just in different concentrations. To the OP - can you name a stable element not found on Earth?
 
  • #6
manojr said:
Within 4AU distance from the Sun, temperature was too high favoring only high melting point materials (iron, silica etc) to gather together to form rocky planets. This matter is rare (i.e. just 1% of total matter) and thus the terrestrial planets could not grow bigger. Further away, lower temperature created ices that gathered together to attract huge quantity of Hydrogen and Helium to become gas giants.
This is a nice theory which can explain the position of the planets in our solar system. However, it is known that there are a lot of other planet distributions in other systems - including gas giants very close to the star.
While it might be true that these gas giants cannot form too close to the planet, they can change their orbit a lot after their formation.


I'd be willing to bet that all natural stable elements and the longer lived unstable ones are found on every planet in at least trace amounts.
Same here.
 
  • #7
One can test this hypothesis by looking at the element abundances in extraterrestrial materials that we already have: Moon rocks and meteorites. Some meteorites come from various sizable objects, like the Moon, Mars, and asteroids like Vesta.

You'll have to search through the literature to find detailed numbers, but from what I've found, many of the stable elements are present.

For the Sun, one can look for elements in its spectrum, and to date, about 60 have been found. That's much more difficult for other stars, however.
 

What is a supernova and how does it affect elements on Earth?

A supernova is a powerful explosion that occurs when a star runs out of nuclear fuel and collapses. This explosion releases large amounts of energy, which can create new elements and disperse them into space. These elements can eventually make their way to Earth and become part of its composition.

What role do planets play in the formation of elements on Earth?

Planets are formed from the same materials as their parent star, including the elements created in a supernova. As planets form and evolve, they can also undergo processes such as volcanism and meteorite impacts, which can bring new elements to the surface and change the composition of the planet.

How are elements created in supernovae different from those created in other cosmic events?

Supernovae have the ability to create heavy elements, such as gold and uranium, which cannot be created in other cosmic events. This is because supernovae are extremely energetic and can reach temperatures and pressures that are necessary for the fusion of heavier elements.

Can elements created in a supernova be found on other planets in our solar system?

Yes, elements created in a supernova can be found on other planets in our solar system. This is because all the planets in our solar system share a common origin and were formed from the same cloud of gas and dust. Therefore, the elements created in a supernova that are present on Earth can also be found on other planets in our solar system.

How do scientists study the elements present on other planets?

Scientists study the elements present on other planets through various methods, including analyzing samples brought back from space missions, remote sensing with instruments such as telescopes and spectrometers, and computer simulations. These methods allow scientists to understand the composition and evolution of other planets in our solar system and beyond.

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