What is the primary fuel source fused immediately following hydrogen depletion in a supergiant core?
Answer
Helium
When hydrogen fusion ceases in the core, the core contracts and heats until it is hot enough to ignite helium fusion, which creates carbon and oxygen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the luminosities of supergiant stars compare to our Sun?What is the primary fuel source fused immediately following hydrogen depletion in a supergiant core?What element marks the end of the energy-releasing fusion chain in the star's core?What is the immediate effect on energy generation when a core becomes predominantly iron?What process occurs as protons and electrons are squeezed together during the core implosion?What process generates the massive shockwave responsible for ripping the star apart?What type of explosion results from the sudden implosion and rebound of a supergiant core?Which elements are forged in the extreme conditions of the supernova explosion?What physical principle can halt the collapse after explosion if the remnant core mass is below a specific threshold?What determines whether a massive star remnant becomes a Neutron Star or a Black Hole?