When the core of a red giant becomes hot enough to fuse helium into carbon (100
ID: 118455 • Letter: W
Question
When the core of a red giant becomes hot enough to fuse helium into carbon (100 million K), the entire core ignites suddenly in a burst of nuclear fusion called the helium flash. The figure here shows the location of the helium flash on the H-R diagram, at the top of the red giant branch (lower red line).
The star suddenly shifts to the horizontal branch (red dot at the bottom of the upper red line via the blue arrow). Eventually it runs out of helium to burn in the core, and instead begins to burn helium in a shell around the carbon ash core, surrounded by another shell burning hydrogen.
As it does this it follows the upper red line (along the white arrow) on the diagram: the asymptotic giant branch.
Based on your observations of the H-R diagram and what you have learned of the balance between gravity and pressure, sort each stage of a star's life below in order of increasing energy produced by the peak of its nuclear reactions.
ORDER THEM FROM LOWEST ENERGY TO HIGHEST ENERGY?
Surface temperature (K) Spectral 107 106 105 104 103 type 05 BO B5 AO FO GO K5 M5 3 The star exhausts the helium at its center, leaves the horizontal branch, and ascends the asymptotic giant branch. 2 10 2 S 101 10-1 and then the The degenerate star settles ont the horizontal branch. helium core of the red giant ignites in a helium flash. 10-2 10-3 40,000 30,000 10,000 6000 3000 Surface temperature (K)Explanation / Answer
The given Star with their Increasing energy can be arranged with increasing energy as follows:
1. Red Giant Star: With the lowest energy
2. Horizontal Branch Star
3. Asymptotic Giant Branch Star
4. Main Sequence Star: Having the highest energy
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