Why does the internal structure of a high-mass star resemble an onion?
Answer
It contains layers of lighter elements surrounding the core where heavy fusion occurs
As a high-mass star matures, it progresses through various stages of nuclear fusion, creating heavier elements in its center. This process results in an onion-like internal structure, where the core contains the heaviest products of the latest fusion stage, while successive layers of lighter elements—such as hydrogen, helium, carbon, neon, and oxygen—wrap around the core like the skins of an onion.
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