In a distant galaxy, whose light is just arriving from 10 billion light years away, our spectroscope should reveal that the most common element is
A) helium
B) carbon
C) hydrogen
D) iron
E) Einsteinium

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, comprising about 75% of its elemental mass, so it is likely to be the most common element even in a distant galaxy. Helium, carbon, and iron are also common in the universe, but are not as abundant as hydrogen. Einsteinium, a man-made element, is exceedingly rare and would not be expected to be present in any significant amount in a distant galaxy.

In a Distant Galaxy, Whose Light Is Just Arriving from 10