What is the fusion process responsible for creating carbon and oxygen from helium nuclei in the core?
Answer
The triple-alpha process.
The next major thermonuclear reaction that occurs after the helium core has contracted and heated sufficiently involves the fusion of helium nuclei. Specifically, when the core temperature reaches approximately 100 million Kelvin, helium nuclei begin combining. This particular fusion pathway, where three helium nuclei (alpha particles) interact to synthesize heavier elements, primarily carbon, is identified by the specific term triple-alpha process. This marks the next element creation step following the exhaustion of core hydrogen.
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