How quickly does the gravitational collapse occur once the iron core forms?
Answer
It takes mere seconds
Once the iron core forms and fusion ceases to provide stabilizing thermal pressure, the star's fate is sealed almost instantaneously due to the overwhelming force of gravity. The core implodes with terrifying speed, completing the collapse process in a matter of seconds. During this rapid infall, the density skyrockets to extreme levels, forcing protons and electrons to merge into neutrons, which is the precursor event to the formation of a neutron star or, if the mass is sufficient, a black hole.
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