What approximate core temperature is required to initiate the fusion of Silicon into Iron?

Answer

3.5 Billion K

The process of layered nuclear burning in a massive star requires progressively higher core temperatures and pressures to initiate each subsequent fusion reaction, as indicated by the progression from lighter to heavier elements. Hydrogen fusion begins at the lowest temperature threshold (0.015 Billion K producing Helium), and each step requires a significantly hotter environment to overcome the electrostatic repulsion of the heavier nuclei involved. The final documented step in this sequence involves Silicon fusion. To successfully force silicon nuclei to fuse and create the resultant iron nuclei, the core must attain the highest required temperature among these stages, which is specified as approximately 3.5 Billion Kelvin.

What approximate core temperature is required to initiate the fusion of Silicon into Iron?

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