QR4.6 The Evolution of Matter

We once thought that we were always as we are now but now know that we came from animals that existed millions of years ago. Likewise, we think that matter always was but perhaps it also evolved, as even now, stars are producing higher atoms from lower ones by nucleosynthesis. We had to evolve, as did the elements of the periodic table (Figure 4.21), so the evolution of life just continued the evolution of matter.

QR4.6.1 Nuclei Evolved

QR4.6.2 Electron Waves

QR4.6.3 Electron Shells

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Figure 4.21. The Periodic Table