are the number of atoms in the universe increasing, decreasing or unchanged?

Answer 1

Although several of the responders to this question are correct when they refer to the conservation of matter, the question is about the creation or destruction of atoms not matter.

In this case I have to agree with Roman Soldier. The number of atoms in the universe is decreasing at an unbelievable rate due to nuclear fusion within each and every star in the universe.

During the process of nuclear fusion, 4 hydrogen atoms are fused into one helium atom and lot of energy. This occurs in a number of steps during the process but this is simplified enough to see the 4 to 1 reduction of the number of atoms in the universe.(1) The reduction is far greater during the production of the heavier elements within a star but lets stick with hydrogen for simplicity.

According to the Morehead Planetarium, 700 million tons of hydrogen is fused into 695 million tons of helium and releases 386 quintillion megawatts of energy every second, (2) and thats just in our own star. There are about 100 billion stars in the Milky Way and about 100 billion galaxies in the universe. It has been a few years since chemistry but, if memory serves me correctly, since there are 6.02 x 10 to the 23rd atoms for every GRAM of hydrogen you can see that the universe is losing an unimaginable number of atoms every second.

In addition to nuclear fusion there is also an immense number of atoms crushed to oblivion in black hole singularities. But that's the answer to a different question!

Answer 2

In general the count is decreasing. Fusion turns more small atoms into fewer heavier ones. Mostly this is hydrogen turning into helium. For every 4 hydrogens you end up with one Helium. Fission and alpha decay can create more atoms from fewer, however all fissionable and unstable atoms ultimately were formed from hydrogen and helium fusion so in the balance, the number decreases.

Keep in mind that most of the mass in stars is in tiny ones that live billions of years, and on top of that only about 10%-20% of their starting mass will actually end up involved in fusion reactions. This is a slow process: the primordial abundance of helium by number count was about 7%. Today, 13.7 billion years later, that number stands around 10-11%.

Answer 3

We can change the number of atoms easily..or at least the sun can, via nuclear fusion. This typically decreases the number of atoms in the universe. BUT the important thing is, the mass in the universe does not change.

If you have x grams of mass in 10 atoms and fuse them so you have 5 atoms of a different type, you still have x grams of mass.

Answer 4

Matter and energy can't be created or destroyed but the number of atoms can change. I believe the number is decreasing due to nuclear fusion. It takes more then one hydrogen atom to make one helium atom in the center of our sun. Get a lot of stars fusing lots of hydrogen into helium and I think overall, the number of atoms in the universe is decreasing.

Answer 5

unchanged. As the first person said, the law of conservation of mass says that mass can neither be created nor destroyed; only changed from one form to another. If you are asking in terms of atoms forming ionic bonds with each other, and forming one atom, then I would say i was unsure. While forming ionic bonds would decrease the amount of atoms, when the ionic bonds are undone then there are more atoms. So, basically, depending on what you meant, it is either unchanged, or impossible to tell.

Answer 6

Hi. The number of atoms of some materials is definitely increasing. Matter forged in the cores of stars contain different atoms up to and including iron. This does not violate the conservation of matter.

Answer 7

They are increasing and decreasing at the same time.
When the primordial space-time pulse [that launched this universe] ceases the number will decrease until it reaches zero!

Answer 8

Yes. But in most ways no but if you count the fact of nuclear fission where uranium breaks down into smaller atoms whereas now you have two atoms Krypton and Barium.

Answer 9

You forgot one selection and that would be; VARIABLE. All energy is radiated from God and solidified by the coldness of space. The laws of nature can easily be over ruled by their Creator.

Answer 10

unchanged
matter cannot be made or destroyed
unless you count an atomic bomb