Question
What happens to a star as it begins to convert helium to carbon?
Group of answer choices
It gains mass from dust.
It heats up and condenses.
It expands and explodes.
It cools and expands.
Group of answer choices
It gains mass from dust.
It heats up and condenses.
It expands and explodes.
It cools and expands.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
As a star begins to convert helium into carbon, it typically undergoes the process of helium burning, which occurs in the core of the star once it has exhausted hydrogen in its core. During this phase, the core contracts under gravity, leading to an increase in temperature and pressure, which allows helium nuclei (helium-4) to fuse into carbon through the triple-alpha process.
The correct choice from your options is:
**It heats up and condenses.**
This describes the initial reaction in the helium burning phase before the star may eventually expand and possibly enter a later phase of its evolution, such as becoming a red giant.
The correct choice from your options is:
**It heats up and condenses.**
This describes the initial reaction in the helium burning phase before the star may eventually expand and possibly enter a later phase of its evolution, such as becoming a red giant.