Which energy-generating stage immediately precedes the catastrophic collapse triggered by the iron core?
Answer
Silicon Burning
The progression of fusion in a massive star accelerates dramatically as heavier elements form. Following the fusion of oxygen, which creates silicon and sulfur, the star enters the Silicon Burning stage. This is explicitly stated as the final energy-generating stage before the core composition shifts entirely to iron and nickel. Once silicon is fused, the resulting product is a dense mix centered around iron. The creation of iron signals the end of energy generation via fusion, causing the outward thermal pressure to vanish and initiating the core collapse that leads to the supernova event.
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