I’m probably a youth minister trying to preach to a choir with this post.
Can we create nuclear fusion technology?
AI was saying I think that nuclear fusion can ultimately result in a black hole if I read correctly? I do see nuclear fusion related articles.
But the process talks about stars versus a lab environment. Sounds like the end of a fusion reaction results in a black hole as gravity around it envelopes it?
AI.
The process by which nuclear fusion transitions into conditions leading to a black hole is tied to the lifecycle of massive stars and the exhaustion of nuclear fuel. Here's a step-by-step outline of how this transition can occur:
Nuclear Fusion in Stars:
Main Sequence: Stars spend most of their lives fusing hydrogen into helium in their cores. The energy produced from fusion creates an outward pressure that balances the inward pull of gravity.
Advanced Fusion Stages: In more massive stars, once hydrogen is depleted, the core contracts and heats up, leading to successive stages of fusion (helium to carbon, carbon to neon, oxygen, and eventually to iron).
Iron Core Formation:
End of Fusion: Fusion processes in stars continue until iron is formed in the core. Iron cannot undergo fusion to release energy because fusing iron consumes energy rather than releasing it. This halts the fusion process.
Core Collapse:
Inability to Counteract Gravity: With no energy being produced from fusion, the outward pressure stops. The core is no longer able to counteract gravitational forces.
Collapse: The core begins to collapse under its own gravity, compressing to extremely high densities and temperatures.
Supernova Explosion:
Rebound Shockwave: The collapsing core can reach such extreme densities that it forms neutron-rich matter. In some cases, the core collapse is halted temporarily, causing a rebound effect that generates a shockwave, resulting in a supernova explosion.
Ejecting Outer Layers: The outer layers of the star are expelled in the explosion, but the core continues collapsing.
Formation of Neutron Star or Black Hole:
Neutron Star: If the remaining core mass is below the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff limit (around 2-3 solar masses), it forms a neutron star. Neutron degeneracy pressure can support the core against further collapse.
Black Hole: If the core's mass exceeds this limit, neutron degeneracy pressure is insufficient to stop the collapse. The core continues collapsing into a singularity, forming a black hole.