Which element is the dead end for cores of the most massive stars?
A)oxygen
B)hydrogen
C)lead
D)uranium
E)iron

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Iron is the dead end for cores of the most massive stars. When a star's core runs out of fuel, it collapses due to gravity, causing the temperature and pressure to increase. If the core's mass is greater than the Chandrasekhar limit (about 1.4 times the mass of our sun), then electron degeneracy pressure is overcome and the core collapses into a neutron star or black hole. This collapse creates a shockwave that causes the rest of the star to explode in a supernova. Iron is the last element that can undergo nuclear fusion and release energy, so it accumulates in the core and triggers the collapse.

Which Element Is the Dead End for Cores of the Most