question archive What prevents the core of a low mass star from continuing to collapse driving further fusion of heavy elements?
What prevents the core of a low mass star from continuing to collapse driving further fusion of heavy elements?
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What prevents the core of a low mass star from continuing to collapse driving further fusion of heavy elements?
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- Low mass stars like white dwarfs are supported by the electron degeneracy pressure in their cores.
- Electron degeneracy is a star's version of the Pauli Exclusion Principle, where no two electrons can occupy the same energy state.
- As the star contracts, all the lower energy states are filled and electrons are forced to move to higher energy levels, which create an opposing force to gravity.
- The electron degeneracy pressure is the force that supports white dwarfs from further gravitational collapse. This prevents the nucleosynthesis of heavier elements; specifically, heavier than carbon.
