What phenomenon halts the continued inward collapse of the newly formed super-dense core?
Answer
The repulsive force exerted by tightly packed neutrons, known as neutron degeneracy pressure
The catastrophic implosion shrinks the iron core down to an incredibly small radius, perhaps only 10 to 20 kilometers. This collapse is not infinite; it stops abruptly when the constituent matter reaches its absolute limit of compression. At this point, the neutrons are packed so closely together that they begin to exert a powerful repulsive force against any further compression. This specific quantum mechanical resistance is called neutron degeneracy pressure, and its immense strength is what causes the core to stiffen suddenly, arresting the gravitational infall.
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