High Mass Stars

Front

What element is fused at a 'ridiculously high rate' in massive stars?

Back

Silicon

Front

What is the explosion called when a vast wave of neutrinos slams into the outer material of a star?

Back

A supernova

Front

What is the process called that creates heavy elements during a supernova explosion?

Back

Explosive nucleosynthesis

Front

What are the two opposing forces that keep stars from collapsing or inflating?

Back

Gravity and the pressure of hot gases

Front

What does 'triple-alpha' helium fusion produce?

Back

Carbon

Front

What is the primary fuel for fusion in high mass stars?

Back

Hydrogen

Front

What is the final stage of a high mass star's life cycle?

Back

Black hole or neutron star, depending on the mass.

Front

What is the role of neutrinos in a supernova?

Back

Neutrinos carry away energy and help trigger the explosion.

Front

What is the significance of the Chandrasekhar limit in stellar evolution?

Back

It is the maximum mass (about 1.4 solar masses) for a white dwarf star.

Front

What happens to a high mass star after it exhausts its hydrogen fuel?

Back

It begins to fuse heavier elements, starting with helium.