What process immediately follows hydrogen depletion in the inert helium core?
Answer
Shell burning initiating in the surrounding hydrogen layer
When the primary hydrogen fuel source within the stellar core is entirely consumed, the outward thermal pressure generated by fusion significantly diminishes. Without this counterforce resisting gravity, the inert helium core begins to contract and heat up intensely. This contraction elevates the temperature in the layer of hydrogen situated just outside the core, causing fusion to ignite rapidly in this shell. This newly ignited process, termed shell burning, releases intense energy, which subsequently drives the star's outer layers to expand dramatically.
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