Which element's fusion in the core causes massive stars to suddenly lose support?
Answer
Iron
Massive stars progress through successive stages of fusion, creating heavier elements in an onion-skin structure. However, when the core begins fusing iron, the chain reaction fundamentally changes. Unlike the fusion of lighter elements, fusing iron does not release the thermal energy necessary to counteract the crushing inward force of gravity; instead, iron fusion actually consumes energy. This abrupt loss of internal support mechanism means gravity wins instantaneously and catastrophically. The core loses its outward push instantly, leading to a rapid collapse that triggers the violent supernova explosion that blasts the star apart.
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