What characteristic process occurs in the core of stars significantly more massive than the Sun during their continuous contraction phase?

Answer

Fusing heavier elements like carbon, neon, oxygen, and silicon successively

For stars that possess initial masses significantly greater than the Sun (e.g., 8 or more solar masses), the process following hydrogen depletion is far more complex and energetic than in low-mass stars. Because their cores contract with enough force to reach much higher temperatures, fusion does not temporarily halt. Instead, the core proceeds to fuse progressively heavier elements—successively burning helium into carbon, then carbon into neon, and continuing through oxygen and silicon fusion in distinct, nested shells. This cycle of contraction and fusion of heavier elements continues until iron is formed, leading eventually to a catastrophic collapse.

What characteristic process occurs in the core of stars significantly more massive than the Sun during their continuous contraction phase?

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