Question

celestial object or region | main substances identified by spectral analysis
stars (all) | mostly h and he
the sun | c, h, he, fe, n, ne, mg, o, and si
red giant stars | c, h, fe, n, and o
supergiant stars | c, h, n, ne, and o
galaxy clusters | ar, ca, fe, mg, n, ni, o, s, and si
comets | c, h, and o; large amount of h₂o
saturn’s moon, titan | c, h, and o in atmosphere; large amount of ch₄
jupiter’s moon, europa | c, h, o, and s

which evidence best supports the assumption that matter in the universe has a common origin?

a. water has been identified on titan, europa, and in comets.

b. hydrogen and helium have been identified as the primary elements in stars.

c. carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and iron have been identified in objects across the galaxy.

d. carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen have been identified in red giant stars and supergiant stars.

Explanation:

To determine which evidence supports the common origin of matter in the Universe, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Water on Titan, Europa, and comets shows water presence but not a wide range of common elements across diverse celestial objects.
• Option B: Hydrogen and helium in stars focuses only on stars, not across different types of celestial objects.
• Option C: Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and iron are identified in various objects (stars, galaxy clusters, moons, comets) across the galaxy, indicating a common set of elements in different celestial bodies, supporting a common origin.
• Option D: Focuses only on red giant and supergiant stars, not a broad range of celestial objects.

Answer:

C. Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and iron have been identified in objects across the galaxy.