Which event marks the beginning of a supernova?
A)the onset of helium burning after a helium flash in a star with mass comparable to that of the Sun
B)the sudden outpouring of X-rays from a newly formed accretion disk
C)the sudden collapse of an iron core into a compact ball of neutrons
D)the beginning of neon burning in an extremely massive star
E)the expansion of a low-mass star into a red giant

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The sudden collapse of an iron core into a compact ball of neutrons marks the beginning of a supernova. This collapse is triggered by the inability of further nuclear reactions to generate enough energy to counteract the force of gravity, leading to a rapid implosion of the core. This implosion creates a shock wave that propagates outward through the rest of the star, eventually causing it to explode in a bright and powerful supernova.

Which Event Marks the Beginning of a Supernova