What is the approximate primordial percentage of Hydrogen in interstellar clouds?
Answer
Roughly 75%
The initial composition of stars, derived from the interstellar clouds they condense from, reflects the material left over from the Big Bang. This primordial mix is overwhelmingly dominated by the lightest elements. Specifically, roughly 75% of this initial material consists of hydrogen, while about 24% is helium, leaving only trace amounts for all other elements combined. This fundamental starting point dictates the potential longevity and eventual fate of the star, as massive stars burn through this hydrogen fuel much faster than less massive counterparts like the Sun due to greater gravitational pressure.
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