How many atoms are in the entire cosmos?

Question

Isn't there a formula to figure out the amount of the atoms in the universe?

Answer 1

assume 10^11 stars in 10^11 galaxies at 2x10^33 grams each per star and ~4.6x10^23 atoms/gram (remember, the uni is 10% helium). This'll get you within an order of magnitude or so.

Note that this is number of ATOMS which appear to represent perhaps only about 5% of the total mass of the universe, most of the rest being dark matter (25%) and dark energy (~70%).

Answer 2

Some time in the early 1900s, the British astronomer and cosmologist Sir Arthur Eddington had a theory from which he deduced that there were EXACTLY 136 * 2^256 protons, and an equal number of electrons, in the universe. That corresponds to about 1.6 * 10^79 hydrogen atoms. More modern estimates are almost identical.

Answer 3

Here are some references to other estimates or guesses. I recall a claim from years ago of 2 ^ 256 (two the power 256) particles in the universe. I don't recall the basis or who said it. Perhaps George Gamow or Bertrand Russel.

Answer 4

The atoms in the entire universe is Infinite in numer

Answer 5

Between 10^78 and 10^81

Answer 6

perhaps not infinite, but close enough for the scope of this discussion. also, too much unknown data for accurate assessment. we only know approximately 90 percent of our universe is composed of something known as DARK MATTER.,of which very little is known. formulas will not work without accurate numbers. OH, yeah what about e-space, antimatter, and surely a trove of unknown data. ADDITIONALLY, often, the deepest most peering questions do not yeild answers, only more questions, many more questions. So at is peak your questions answer is a series of more questions.

Answer 7

There is an infinite number of atoms in the universe. Any formula that returns infinity is usally considered wrong.

;-D People don't like to think about infinity. It is too large.

Answer 8

I forget where I heard this... there are supposed to be ten to the eightieth power electrons in the unverse, so on that order number of total particles.

20 NOV 06, 0309 hrs, GMT.

Answer 9

If you can tell me how many grains of sand there are in the Sahara Desert, I might consider answering your question.

Answer 10

I bet more than 300 and any formula would still be guessing.