Stars are composed primarily of which elements?

• A. Nitrogen and neon
• B. Hydrogen and helium
• C. Carbon and oxygen
• D. Iron and silicon

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that stars are primarily composed of the most abundant elements in the universe, which are formed during the Big Bang and stellar processes.
2. Recall that hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element, making up the majority of a star's mass.
3. Recognize that helium is the second most abundant element in stars, produced by nuclear fusion of hydrogen atoms in the star's core.
4. Note that while elements like nitrogen, neon, carbon, oxygen, iron, and silicon are present in stars, they exist in much smaller quantities compared to hydrogen and helium.
5. Conclude that the primary composition of stars is hydrogen and helium, as these elements dominate the stellar makeup.