Chemical element - Geochemical Cycle, Atomic Structure, Reactivity

chemical element

Table of Contents

Introduction
General observations
Historical development of the concept of element
The atomic nature of the elements
- The structure of atoms
- The existence of isotopes
Origin of the elements
- Cosmic abundances of the elements
  - Stars and gas clouds
  - Cosmic rays
  - Solar system
  - Summary of observations
- Processes producing heavier elements
  - Reaction stages reflecting increasing temperature
    - Hydrogen burning
    - Helium burning
    - Carbon and oxygen burning
    - Silicon burning
    - Reversible nuclear reaction equilibrium
  - Neutron capture
- Regions of element synthesis
  - Element production in the universe as a whole
  - Element production in stars
  - Element production in massive objects
- Radioactive chronologies
Geochemical distribution of the elements
- Terrestrial distribution
  - The Earth’s core
  - The Earth’s mantle
  - The Earth’s crust
    - Igneous rocks
      Major components
      Elements of minor and trace abundance
    - Sedimentary rocks
    - Metamorphic rocks
    - Ore deposits
    - Mineral fuels
    - Soils
  - The hydrosphere
    - Composition of seawater
    - Circulation of water through the hydrosphere
    - Geochemical balance of seawater over time
  - The atmosphere
    - Composition
    - Geochemical history
- The geochemical cycle
  - Early history of the Earth
  - Results of magmatism, sedimentation, and metamorphism

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The preceding discussion has shown that at the time of formation of the Earth the chemical elements already had been considerably fractionated: the universe consists almost entirely of hydrogen and helium, probably with less than 1 percent of the heavier elements. The Earth, on the other hand, consists almost entirely of the heavier elements. Helium is a very rare element on Earth, so rare in fact that it was first discovered as an unidentified line in the Sun’s spectrum in 1868, some 30 years before it was detected on Earth. Hydrogen is moderately abundant on Earth, largely because it combines ...(100 of 18829 words)

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