An iron core cannot support a star because:
A)iron is the heaviest element, and sinks upon differentiation.
B)iron has poor nuclear binding energy.
C)iron cannot fuse with other nuclei to produce energy.
D)iron supplies too much pressure.
E)iron is in the form of a gas, not a solid, in the center of a star.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Iron cannot fuse with other nuclei to produce energy, therefore it cannot generate the internal heat and pressure required to support a star. When a star begins to fuse elements to form iron, it signals the end of its life cycle as it no longer has enough energy to counteract the force of gravity, causing it to collapse and potentially undergo a supernova event. Iron cannot fuse with other nuclei to produce energy, which is a necessary process for a star to sustain itself. When a star's core runs out of fuel, it can no longer produce sufficient energy to counteract the force of gravity and collapses in on itself, often resulting in a supernova explosion.

An Iron Core Cannot Support a Star Because