What event immediately precedes the outward shockwave generation in a Type II supernova?

Answer

The sudden pressure spike from the core reaching nuclear density and rebounding.

The sequence leading up to the visible explosion is triggered by the iron core's collapse reaching an extreme physical limit. When the collapsing material slams into the newly formed, rigid structure (the proto-neutron star core) at nuclear density, the infall cannot continue. This collision results in a sudden, violent reversal of direction, creating a powerful outward-moving pressure wave known as a shockwave. This rebound, characterized by a sudden pressure spike, is the direct mechanism that initiates the explosive phase of the Type II supernova, occurring just moments before the visible light is produced.

What event immediately precedes the outward shockwave generation in a Type II supernova?

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The Evolution of Red Supergiants to Supernovae - YouTube

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