QR4.6 The Evolution of Matter

It was once thought that we were created as we are now, until science discovered that we evolved from animals over millions of years. Likewise, the particle model assumes that matter always was, but we now know that complex atoms came from simpler ones by the process of nucleosynthesis, that continues today in stars and supernovae. The elements of the periodic table (Figure 4.21) wouldn’t exist without it, and neither would we, but while life evolves based on survival, matter evolved based on stability.

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