The most abundant element in the universe is hydrogen, which makes up about 3/4 of all matter. Helium makes up most of the remaining 25%. What is the third most abundant element?

Midget40

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the known Universe; helium is second. However, after this, the rank of abundance does not continue to correspond to the atomic number; oxygen has abundance rank 3, but atomic number 8. All others are substantially less common. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abundance_of_the_chemical_elements Mar 16 09, 10:33 AM

pagea

The third most abundant element is Oxygen, despite Lithium being the logical answer (atomic number 3.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abundance_of_the_chemical_elements#Abundance_of_elements_in_the_Universe Mar 16 09, 10:34 AM