black hole begins to form as an aging star abruptly collapses when it ceases . This occurs after the star has consumed its component elements in this order: .
1. Hydrogen: The star begins its life by fusing hydrogen atoms in its core, releasing tremendous amounts of energy.
2. Helium: As the star's hydrogen fuel depletes, it starts to fuse helium atoms to form heavier elements like carbon and oxygen.
3. Carbon and Oxygen: The fusion reactions in the star's core continue, producing heavier elements such as carbon and oxygen.
4. Neon, Magnesium, and Silicon: The star's core temperature and pressure increase further, enabling fusion reactions that create elements like neon, magnesium, and silicon.
5. Iron: Eventually, the fusion process in the star's core reaches the production of iron. Unlike the fusion of lighter elements, fusing iron does not release any energy.
6. Core Collapse: With the depletion of its nuclear fuel, the star's core can no longer support its outer layers. The core collapses under its own gravity, causing a supernova explosion.
7. Black Hole Formation: If the remnants of the collapsed core are massive enough, they continue to collapse, forming a singularity with infinite density and a gravitational pull so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape its grasp. This is known as a black hole.