It looks like a pretty simple picture as we just described but up close it is actually an intricate jigsaw puzzle. We have to remember that this is in fact nuclear physics that we’re dealing with here. This is the general idea but it’s not exactly this easy. The forth, the fifth and all the way up to 26. This fusion process continues to create larger and larger nuclei. Take a look at the periodic table to see which number it is. As a star ages, it then fuses the helium with hydrogen to form lithium which has three protons in its nucleus. This is what we commonly call a star! In fact our sun is doing this right now as we speak (or read). This conversion of mass in to energy uses Einstein’s famous equation: E=mc 2.Īt this point, our universe has a bunch of large clumps of hydrogen fusing together to create helium while releasing large amounts of light. The fusion process also releases a lot of energy in which some of the hydrogen mass converts into light energy. That’s why helium is number two on the periodic table of elements. An atom with two protons in its nucleus is Helium. These neutrons also bind to the nucleus helping it to remain more stable under the nuclear forces. Some electrons also combine with protons to form neutrons and neutrinos. When the two proton nuclei of the hydrogen atoms fuse, they form a nucleus consisting of two protons. However under high temperatures and pressure, the nuclei are moving fast enough to smash together and fuse. The positively charged nuclei naturally repel each other. When the temperature reached 15 million degrees F, the pressure caused the hydrogen to fuse their nuclei together. As these clumps grew in size, the pressure at the center grew larger. After the universe aged a little (roughly 300 million years) the hydrogen atoms started to clump together under the force of gravity. Hydrogen atoms contain only one proton in its nucleus which makes it number one on the periodic table of elements. Hydrogen atoms formed first since they are the simplest type of atom. The early universe expanded after the big bang for only 3 seconds before it cooled to a state where subatomic particles assembled into atoms. But where did these little ingredients come from? And how were they made? The answer to these questions will take us back to a time long ago when the universe was much different than it is now. All of these things are made of various molecules and atoms. Did you ever wonder where you came from? That is the stuff that’s inside your body like your bones, organs, muscles…etc.