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Did the periodic table arrive all at once?
Compare the early production of light nuclei with later stellar and neutron-rich pathways.
The early universe produced mainly hydrogen and helium, with tiny amounts of other light nuclei. Expansion and cooling curtailed this early episode of nuclear formation.
Sources for this view
Explore the model (optional)
SELECTED PATHWAYS · NO ABUNDANCE FRACTIONS IMPLIED
Different environments → nuclei incorporated into later matter
This is a selective process map. A pathway does not identify the birthplace of a particular atom, and not every star reaches every burning stage.
Optional: check your understanding
MAKE THE CONNECTION
Which sequence separates two different processes?