What happens to the pressure and temperature within the core during gravitational collapse after hydrogen depletion?
Answer
Pressure and temperature within it skyrocket
When the outward pressure from hydrogen fusion ceases in the innermost region, gravity initiates a powerful gravitational collapse of the stellar core. This compression is not a gentle process; as the core shrinks under its enormous weight, the material becomes drastically compressed. This compression leads to a rapid and substantial increase in both the internal pressure and the temperature of the core material, creating the necessary superheated conditions required to ignite the hydrogen in the shell immediately surrounding the contracting center.
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