Discussion/Questions

1. What happens after a supermassive giant builds up an iron core and has no more fuel to burn? Describe in detail all the steps leading to a supernova.

2. Why do some 4 solar mass stars evolve only to the white dwarf endpoint and other 4 solar mass stars evolve to supernovae?

3. What happens when a core can no longer provide pressure to support the entire star? List out the sequential effects.

4. Look at the table below. Based on this data, approximately how much time is there between each observed supernova event in the Milky way? Are we due for another supernova in our stellar neighborhood?
   
   

5. Be able to know r and s process elements. What is the difference between the two? Which are most common on Earth?

6. Why do electrons combine with protons in the cores of stars about to explode? What is the result?