Is it possible that the existence of humans is linked to gravitational waves? A team of researchers led by John R. Ellis from Kings College London suggests that certain aspects of our biological composition may be derived from astrophysical phenomena that are made possible by the presence of gravitational waves.
Humans are primarily composed of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen, along with several other trace elements. The majority of these elements, which are essential for human life, are produced in supernovae, which are the result of stars collapsing after depleting their nuclear fuel. This collapse leads to an explosion that disperses their atoms throughout the universe.
However, two elements, iodine and bromine, are obtained through other means. Iodine is necessary for the production of key hormones by the thyroid, while bromine is used in the creation of collagen scaffolds for tissue development and architecture.
Thorium and uranium have had an indirect impact on human life, as their radioactive decay within the Earth’s interior heats the lithosphere and enables tectonic activity. The movement of tectonic plates removes and submerges carbon from the planet’s crust, which is then extracted from the atmosphere through the reaction of water with carbon dioxide and silicates, preventing the occurrence of a runaway greenhouse effect similar to what has happened on Venus.
Approximately half of the heavy elemental atoms on Earth (heavier than iron) are generated through the “r-process,” or rapid neutron-capture process. This process occurs when a heavy atomic nucleus captures a series of free neutrons before the nucleus has the opportunity to decay, typically through beta decay.
2024-03-30 19:00:04
Article from phys.org