Question

As stars age, they use up their supply of hydrogen and eventually begin producing energy by a reaction that involves the fusion of three helium nuclei to form a carbon nucleus. Would you expect the interiors of these old stars to be hotter or cooler than the interiors of younger stars? Explain.

Short answer

The triple-alpha process is the process where the helium starts to fuse into carbon by a reaction. This process adds more energy to generate a great range of heat. When more heat is added then it will increase the triple-alpha rate which means more and higher temperatures will generate.

Step-by-step solution

Define the triple-alpha process.

The triple-alpha process is the process where the helium starts to fuse into carbon by a reaction. This process adds more energy to generate a great range of heat.

Applications.

When more heat is added then it will increase the triple-alpha rate which means more and higher temperatures will generate.

The heating will increase the pressure and the core will expand and cool under normal circumstances. If more heat is added to the electron-degenerate, the helium does not cause it to expand and cool.