Stars are primarily composed of hydrogen gas, which makes up about 74% of their mass. The second most abundant element is helium, accounting for about 24%. The remaining 2% consists of heavier elements, often referred to as "metals" in astronomical terminology, such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and iron.
In terms of physical state, the material in a star exists primarily in the plasma state due to the extremely high temperatures and pressures found in their cores. Plasma is a state of matter where electrons are stripped from atoms, allowing for the free movement of charged particles.
So, in summary, stars are primarily composed of:
- Hydrogen gas
- Helium gas
- Heavier elements (in smaller amounts)
- Plasma (due to extreme temperatures)
The combination of nuclear fusion processes, primarily converting hydrogen into helium, powers stars throughout most of their lifetimes.
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