Helium burns in the core of a horizontal branch star via _________ and produces _________.
A) the triple-alpha reaction; carbon
B) the proton-proton chain; lithium
C) the triple-alpha reaction; oxygen
D) the proton-proton chain; iron
E) the proton-proton chain; calcium

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Helium burning in the core of a horizontal branch star occurs through the triple-alpha reaction, which fuses three helium nuclei (alpha particles) to form carbon.

Helium Burns in the Core of a Horizontal Branch Star