29.6k views
5 votes
Why is iron significant to understanding how a supernova occurs?

1 Answer

5 votes

Answer;

Iron cannot release energy by fusion.

Explanation;

  • Supernovae are some of the most magnificent events in the cosmos. When a massive star dies, it can result in a spectacular explosion many times that of man's total nuclear arsenal.
  • When a star has used up all the lighter elements and has just iron left, it has no more nuclear "fuel". That causes the star to contract then explode very violently as a supernova.

User BlackICE
by
6.5k points