Shouldn't something as hot and as large as the sun have a wider chemical diversity? Or is it too hot? The chemicals are there but they are in very meager amounts.

In the universe, Hydrogen is dominant... so stars are primarily composed of Hydrogen when they start out. The term used to describe the other elements they contain is called metallicity. The higher their metallicity, the more the star contains of other elements.

If the sun is so hot, how to scientist study it?

Scientists have to engineer a heat sheild to protect rovers from the heat

Main content

Course: Big History Project > Unit 4

Lesson 2: What Was Young Earth Like? | 4.1

ACTIVITY: Infographic — Chemical Abundances: The Sun

Google Classroom

The Sun is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, with a smattering of other elements that account for less than 2% of its mass. Download a PDF of Chemical Abundances: The Sun infographic.

Want to join the conversation?

Sort by:

Hashir Safdar
Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to Hashir Safdar's post “Shouldn't something as ho...”
Shouldn't something as hot and as large as the sun have a wider chemical diversity? Or is it too hot?
The chemicals are there but they are in very meager amounts.
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(6 votes)
Answer
- Davin V Jones
  Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to Davin V Jones's post “In the universe, Hydrogen...”
  In the universe, Hydrogen is dominant... so stars are primarily composed of Hydrogen when they start out. The term used to describe the other elements they contain is called metallicity. The higher their metallicity, the more the star contains of other elements.
  Button navigates to signup page
  (8 votes)
Deep
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to Deep's post “How can we measure the co...”
How can we measure the composition of the Sun without going there? As not a single project is done to land on the Sun.
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(2 votes)
Answer
daleiah.waters
Posted 2 years ago. Direct link to daleiah.waters's post “If the sun is so hot, how...”
If the sun is so hot, how to scientist study it?
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(0 votes)
Answer
- abarraga0084
  Posted 9 months ago. Direct link to abarraga0084's post “Scientists have to engine...”
  Scientists have to engineer a heat sheild to protect rovers from the heat
  Button navigates to signup page
  (3 votes)