Most of the energy of the supernova is carried outward via a flood of:
A)gamma rays.
B)helium nuclei.
C)protons.
D)neutrinos.
E)positrons.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Neutrinos carry most of the energy of a supernova because they can travel through matter easily and are not absorbed by the dense material in the outer layers of the exploding star. Gamma rays and other forms of electromagnetic radiation also carry energy, but they are absorbed by the material and do not carry as much energy as neutrinos. Helium nuclei and protons play a role in the fusion reactions that occur during the explosion, but they do not carry the bulk of the energy away from the supernova. Positrons are also produced during the explosion, but they quickly annihilate with electrons, releasing energy in the form of gamma rays. Neutrinos carry away most of the energy of a supernova. They are produced in huge numbers during the collapse of the star's core and are able to easily escape the dense material of the star due to their weak interaction with matter. The flood of neutrinos that escapes from a supernova is so powerful that it can be detected on Earth even from very distant galaxies.

Most of the Energy of the Supernova Is Carried Outward