Why is there greater abundance of light than heavy elements on earth?

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SUMMARY

The discussion addresses the greater abundance of light elements (atomic number lower than 30) on Earth compared to heavy elements. This phenomenon is attributed to the initial composition of the galaxy, which primarily consisted of hydrogen and helium, with heavier elements formed in stars. Consequently, lighter elements are more prevalent due to their higher concentrations in the universe. The conversation also touches on the existence of elements in elemental form, noting that while many elements exist as diatomic molecules or in solution, isolated atoms are primarily limited to noble gases.

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atlet88
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Why there is on Earth stronger abundance of light elements. I mean elements that have proton number lower than 30. And are there any elements in nature in elemental(atomic) form?
 
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The abundance of elements on Earth comes from the abundance of elements in our part of the galaxy. And the cause of that is that the galaxy started entirely hydrogen and oxygen, with the heavier elements being manufactured in stars. So the concentrations tend to get higher as the atomic number gets lower.

For the second question, it depends what you mean. Nitrogen in the atmosphere is a diatomic molecule. Many elements are free and dissolved in our oceans. Crystals (monoatomic) are essentially locked-together piles of atoms. You probably should call them molecules, but then even an atom sitting all alone is generallly also considered a molecule.
 
The only isolated atoms in nature that I am aware of are the noble gases.
 
The element of surprise tends to be sneaky and alone as well.

*nods*
 

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