Which of these is the best explanation for the formation of a planetary nebula?
ID: 1462712 • Letter: W
Question
Which of these is the best explanation for the formation of a planetary nebula?
The core of the red giant collapses, exploding the envelope outwards.
The temperature in the envelope gets so hot it explodes outwards.
Gas pressure in the envelope of the red giant exceeds the gravitational attraction of the star.
The temperature becomes so low that Hydrogen crystals blow away like snow in the wind.
Fusion in the envelope of the red giant propels the forming cloud.
The core of the red giant collapses, exploding the envelope outwards.
The temperature in the envelope gets so hot it explodes outwards.
Gas pressure in the envelope of the red giant exceeds the gravitational attraction of the star.
The temperature becomes so low that Hydrogen crystals blow away like snow in the wind.
Fusion in the envelope of the red giant propels the forming cloud.
Explanation / Answer
The best fit explanation for the formation of planetary nebula is (B) The temperature in the envelope gets so hot it explodes outwards.
When the hydrogen source in the core starts to diminish, gravity starts compressing the core, causing a rise in temperature to about 100 million K. At such high temperatures, the cooler outer layer starts to expand and eventually the outer core is exposed. The temperaure of the outer core continues to rise, until there are enough ultrviolet photons to ioinize the atmosphere, causing the gas to shine like a planetary nebula.
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