Why does nuclear fusion halt once an iron core forms inside a star?
Answer
Fusing iron is an endothermic process that does not release energy
Iron acts as a unique anomaly in the nuclear fusion hierarchy. While the fusion of elements lighter than iron releases energy that provides the necessary outward pressure to counteract gravity, fusing iron is an endothermic process. This means it consumes more energy than it produces. Because this reaction cannot provide the support required to hold up the star's immense weight, fusion stops immediately, leading to a catastrophic imbalance and structural failure.
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