A high-mass star dies more violently than a low-mass star because:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A high-mass star generates more heat and pressure in its core, causing it to fuse heavier elements. Eventually, it will run out of fuel and the core will collapse suddenly, triggering a supernova explosion. This is a more violent death compared to a low-mass star, which will simply shed its outer layers and form a planetary nebula. A high-mass star generates more heat due to the higher pressure in its core which allows for the fusion of heavier elements. Eventually, the core cannot withstand the weight of the overlying layers and collapses very suddenly, resulting in a more violent explosion known as a supernova.

A High-Mass Star Dies More Violently Than a Low-Mass Star