Is it possible that there could be elements in space or on another world that we have yet to discover?

Question

For example; could there be another world with life that breathe something other than oxygen? Like a different element of sort. Or could there be something similar but not exactly water that could support life? After all, our corner of the universe is extremely small compared to the entire picture. I'm just curious if there are other elements unknown to man. I also have wondered if there is another element besides Oxygen that would keep us alive.

Answer 1

Water is an important part of the developemtn of organic life. It's possible that somewhere else in the universe, there is non-organic life. Organic simply means made from carbon. All life as we know it on Earth is carbon-based. All carbon based life requires water as far as we know. Not all carbon based life requires oxygen however. Plants breath carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.

There really isn't any compound in existence that is similar to water. For organic life to develop on a planet, water must be present. If there is some kind of life in the universe that is not carbon-based, then we don't know about it.

Answer 2

We've discovered all the elements that can exist in the conditions that are here on earth and on the other planets and in interstellar space. Any of the bigger ones are unstable.

But there are endless things you can do with these elements. For example, mammals use iron to transport oxygen in the blood (haemoglobin) but some animals use copper instead. It may be possible to have a type of life that doesn't use oxygen at all.


It's also possible that other types of element using different particles could be created in high temperature high gravity environments, such as on the surface of a neutron star. These could have their own chemistry which we know nothing about, and could theoretically form life.

Answer 3

An element is defined by a unique number of protons in its nucleus, which is called its atomic number. Elements occur in nature with up to 92 protons. All the atomic numbers below that have been accounted for. Atomic nuclei up to atomic number 118 have been reported, but none of them are stable; they all quickly decay into other elements. However, there is a theoretical "island of stability" of stable, massive nuclei. None of these have ever been detected, but it's conceivable some of these elements might exist somewhere in the universe. Given the way elements are produced in stars and supernovae, though, supermassive elements would probably be no more than a rare curiosity, and not play a significant role in planetary chemistry.

As far as alternatives to oxygen and water, exobiologists and science fiction writers have speculated about life based on silicon or other elements. However, carbon appears to be more suitable to the complex chemistry necessary for life (or is that just carbon chauvinism?) and is quite common. So carbon is widely thought to be the most likely basis for extraterrestrial life.

As for us, we're stuck with water and oxygen. Accept no substitute.

Answer 4

Exaclty what the person above me said. For example the frilled shark was spotted in Japan a couple of days ago and they are rarely seen due to the fact that they live 3000 meters under the sea. Also the coelancath (not sure if that is the correct spelling) which was thought to be extinct, was redisconvered of the coase of Africa in the 1900's.
Answering your question yes I do think that there are elemts in space or on another world that we have yet to discover.
Also according to Francis Drake's equation on intelligent life, there has to be aliens that are intelligent in the universe. Due to that then we will find other elements or worlds that support life. But first we will have to overcome travelling due to chemical reactions.

Answer 5

IT is not possible to have other naturally element more than of 100 atomic number due to the mass of the nucleus and the binding energy but if there are comletely different types of electrons protons neutrons in case of their mass then what u said might be possible

Answer 6

1) Why does the bible say liquid water and the earth exist before the sun? It's practically certain that liquid water existed before the Sun formed. The claim that the Earth - as a planet - existed before the Sun formed is contrary to modern, well-accepted scientific theory but is certainly not beyond reason (that is: the Earth *could* have formed before the Sun did; modern scientists believe that the Earth formed relatively shortly after the Sun did, but it *could* have formed shortly before the Sun did). 2) is proves the bible cant be from God To arrive at this conclusion, you need to fall short in *two* areas: scientific knowledge and logic. It is *not* proof. 3) without the sun liquid water couldn't exist That is one of the most careless statements I have ever read. Think about it! - Jim, Bach Sci Physics 1989

Answer 7

There are no "other" elements hanging around in other parts of the universe unless the laws of Physics vary which is highly unlikely.

Answer 8

It's not only possible, it's damned likely. Just look at the diversity of life on our little world, and we're not even sure we've discovered all of it yet! There's hardly a year that goes by when they don't discover a new species of something-or-other, or re-discover one they thought was extinct. When you look at the wide range of life on our little speck of cosmic dust, the mind boggles at the thought of what awaits us in the vast, infinite, reaches of outer space!

Answer 9

yes, there are still lots of them out there

Answer 10

may bee