Which event marks the catastrophic end of a massive star when core collapse triggers an outward explosion?

Which event marks the catastrophic end of a massive star when core collapse triggers an outward explosion?

• A. Supernova
• B. Nebula
• C. Protostar
• D. White Dwarf

Answer: (A)

An outward explosion after a massive star’s core collapses is a supernova. When the star runs out of nuclear fuel, its iron core can’t support the weight of the outer layers, so the core collapses under gravity. That rapid collapse releases enormous energy and sends a powerful shock wave outward, blasting the star’s outer envelopes into space. This dramatic ejection marks the star’s catastrophic end and often leaves behind a compact remnant like a neutron star or black hole. The other phenomena aren’t the explosive death: a nebula is just a gas-dust cloud; a protostar is an early stage of star formation; a white dwarf is the dense core remaining after a less massive star sheds its outer layers, not an explosion.

An outward explosion after a massive star’s core collapses is a supernova. When the star runs out of nuclear fuel, its iron core can’t support the weight of the outer layers, so the core collapses under gravity. That rapid collapse releases enormous energy and sends a powerful shock wave outward, blasting the star’s outer envelopes into space. This dramatic ejection marks the star’s catastrophic end and often leaves behind a compact remnant like a neutron star or black hole. The other phenomena aren’t the explosive death: a nebula is just a gas-dust cloud; a protostar is an early stage of star formation; a white dwarf is the dense core remaining after a less massive star sheds its outer layers, not an explosion.