Carbon fusion occur in high-mass stars but not in low-mass stars because ________.
A) the cores of low-mass stars never get hot enough for carbon fusion
B) the cores of low-mass stars never contain significant amounts of carbon
C) only high-mass stars do fusion by the CNO cycle
D) carbon fusion can occur only in the stars known as carbon stars

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Carbon fusion requires extremely high temperatures and pressures, which are only reached in the cores of high-mass stars. Low-mass stars do not have sufficient mass or gravity to achieve the necessary conditions for carbon fusion.

Carbon Fusion Occur in High-Mass Stars but Not in Low-Mass