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Every element on the periodic chart is radioactive, though the most stable
elements have half-lives which are housands and thousands of years long. When
an atom decays, it splits into two or more smaller atoms. Even considering the
fusion taking place inside of stars, there is only a negligible tendency for
smaller atoms to transmute into larger ones. Thus, the ratio of lighter to
heavier atoms in the universe is increasing at a measurable rate.
Which of the following sentences provides the most logical continuation of this
paragraph?
А) Without radioactive decay of atoms, there could be no solar combustion and
no life as we know it.
В) Therefore, it is imperative that scientists begin developing ways to reverse
the trend and restore the proper balance between the lighter and the heavier
elements.
С) Consequently, it is possible to use a shifting ratio of light to heavy atoms
to calculate the age of the universe.
D) Therefore, there are now more light elements in the universe than heavy ones.
Е) As a result, the fusion taking place inside stars has to produce enough
atoms of the heavy elements to offset the radioactive decay of large atoms
elsewhere in the universe.
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