Nuclear Systematics: I. Solar Abundance of the Elements

Author

Oliver Manuel, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Cynthia Pearl Bolon, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Abstract

Nuclear systematics and the abundance of elements and isotopes in meteorites, in planets, in the solar photosphere, in the solar wind, and in solar flares are used to estimate the abundance of elements in the Sun. The results indicate that ⁵⁶Fe, the decay product of doubly-magic ⁵⁶Ni, is the Sun's most abundant nuclide. The next most abundant nuclide is the doubly-magic ¹⁶O. The most abundant elements - Fe, Ni, O, Si, S, Mg, and Ca - are the even-Z elements that Harkins¹ found to comprise ~99% of ordinary meteorites. The least abundant elements have loosely bound nucleons (Li, Be and B) further confirming the proposed link¹ between abundance and nuclear structure, with one conspicuous and important exception. Diffusion enriches light-weight nuclides at the solar surface, hiding the link of abundance to nuclear stability beneath the Sun's H-rich exterior.

Recommended Citation

O. Manuel and C. P. Bolon, "Nuclear Systematics: I. Solar Abundance of the Elements," Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, vol. 251, pp. 381 - 385, Springer Verlag, Mar 2002.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014865721622

Department(s)

Chemistry

Keywords and Phrases

Beryllium; Boron; Calcium; Iron; Lithium; Magnesium; Nickel; Nickel 56; Silicon; Sulfur; Unclassified Drug; Article; Atomic Particle; Diffusion; Meteorism; Meteorology; Molecular Weight; Solar Energy; Taxonomy

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0236-5731

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2002 Springer Verlag, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Mar 2002