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The Beginning Of The End:
Red Giants
After Hydrogen is exhausted in core...
Energy released from nuclear fusion
counter-acts inward force of gravity.
Core collapses,
- and kinetic energy of collapse
- converted into heat.
- This heat expands the outer layers.
Meanwhile, as core collapses,
- Increasing Temperature and Pressure ...
Notes:
Stars on main sequence have finite lifetime. Why ? -limited amount of fusion fuel.
What happens when fuel exhausted ? Fusion ceases, and the “Balancing Act” comes into play.
As core collapses, the kinetic energy of the collapse is converted into heat. This heat expands the outerlayers