Pressure from degenerate electrons keeps the core of a red giant star from collapsing.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is a correct statement. In the core of a red giant star, the pressure from degenerate electrons (electrons that are forced into higher energy states due to high density) is what keeps the core from collapsing under gravity. This is known as electron degeneracy pressure. Without this pressure, the core would collapse further and ignite nuclear reactions that would cause the star to become a supernova.

Pressure from Degenerate Electrons Keeps the Core of a Red