Final answer:
Red dwarf stars are thoroughly mixed due to their convective nature, which uniformly circulates material throughout the star. Their small size and low mass result in the entire star being affected by the convective motions that enable continuous fusion and the creation of new elements throughout their lives, contributing to the cosmic recycling of elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Red dwarf stars have interiors that are thoroughly mixed primarily because of their low mass and size. These stars are completely convective, meaning that the heat generated in the core is transferred throughout the star by the motion of the star's plasma.
This convective process extends from the core to the surface, creating a star that is homogeneous in composition because material is constantly being mixed.
Red dwarf stars are much smaller and more compact than larger stars like the Sun. For example, Ross 614B, a red dwarf, has a surface temperature of 2700 K and only 1/2000 of the Sun's luminosity.
Because red dwarfs have low luminosity and low mass, their inner temperatures and pressures allow for convective motions that mix the entire contents of the star, different from how matter behaves in more massive stars where energy is often transferred by radiation in the outer layers.
During their extensive lifetimes, this thorough mixing allows for the uniform creation of new elements through nuclear fusion throughout their lifespan.
As the star ages and transforms into a red giant, further mixing can occur, leading to additional nuclear reactions and the creation of new elements. Thus, when these stars release their material into the galaxy, they contribute to the 'cosmic recycling plan,' providing the interstellar medium with freshly synthesized elements.