Why does the silicon-to-iron fusion stage occur in only a matter of days?
Answer
Energy production becomes increasingly inefficient as nuclei get heavier
Fusion stages accelerate dramatically because each heavier element requires higher temperatures and densities to sustain fusion than the previous one. As nuclei become heavier, the efficiency of energy production decreases. To maintain the outward pressure needed to fight gravity, the star must consume its remaining nuclear fuel at an exponentially faster rate, which results in the final silicon-to-iron stage completing in only a few days.
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