In a massive star, what element's formation in the core instantly halts energy generation, triggering gravitational collapse?
Answer
Iron
Massive stars undergo progressively more advanced stages of core fusion, creating elements heavier than hydrogen and helium, such as carbon, neon, oxygen, and silicon. However, this process stops abruptly when the core is converted entirely into iron. Iron is the terminal element in stellar nucleosynthesis because, unlike lighter elements, fusing iron consumes energy rather than releasing it. This instantaneous cessation of outward thermal pressure means gravity wins catastrophically, leading to the core collapsing inward with extreme rapidity.
Related Questions
What is the mass threshold in $M_\odot$ determining if a star evolves into a Red Giant or a Red Supergiant?What is the final, dense remnant core left after a Red Giant sheds its outer layers via a planetary nebula?In a massive star, what element's formation in the core instantly halts energy generation, triggering gravitational collapse?What process immediately follows the formation of an iron core in a massive star, leading to a Supernova explosion?What is the primary difference in the ultimate fate of stellar material enrichment between a Red Giant and a Supernova?During which specific stage of a Sun-like star's Red Giant lifetime does the star fuse helium into carbon in its core via the triple-alpha process?If the remnant core mass after a massive star's collapse halts at nuclear density, what object forms?How does the lifespan on the main sequence for a star destined to become a Red Supergiant compare to the Sun's?What physical characteristic defines a Red Giant's appearance, relating to its surface temperature and spectral type?What specific mass limit must a white dwarf exceed in a binary system to trigger a thermonuclear explosion known as a Type Ia supernova?