5 ms·
But it's fairly likely to be carbon-based, as carbon is the simplest existing element with the maximum amount of valence electrons. And generally, simpler (= lo
by blauditore 9y ago
But it's fairly likely to be carbon-based, as carbon is the simplest existing element with the maximum amount of valence electrons. And generally, simpler (= lower ordinal number) means more stable, as well as more likely to arise (as less energy is required, e.g. in stars).
- AnIdiotOnTheNet 9y agoIt may not be based on elemental matter, or matter at all.
- blauditore 9y agoHmm, true. But then, interaction with elemental matter life forms (like us) would become terribly difficult; it might be hard to even notice there's a life form existing in anti-matter.
- wu-ikkyu 9y agoDo you think the periodic table contains all the elements in the universe?
- woodandsteel 9y agoYes, since from what I understand, any heavier elements would be so unstable they wouldn't last a billionth of a second.
- blauditore 9y agoThat's the general assumption, even though there might be another stable "island" of fairly stable isotopes for higher-order elements than observed so far. But as I said, they'd need to be created first through nuclear fusion of lower elements, so their existence is obviously less likely, let alone life forms evolving on top of them.
- zamalek 9y agoThere are other theoretical biochemistry possibilities[1]. Silicon, for example, works well in low-pressure environments. It's an immense stretch of the imagination to think about life-forms that use semiconductors to do useful work, but is certainly a fun thought experiment. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothetical_types_of_biochemistry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothetical_types_of_biochemi...
- blauditore 9y agoYes, it's possible, just less likely. How much less likely is hard to tell, but I if you hear hoofsteps, you first think of horses, not zebras.