Photodisintegration of iron-56 into thirteen alpha particles and four neutrons…

PHYSICS · Subjective · Fermi University Physics · Astrophysics & Cosmology · Stellar death and compact objects · Stellar death and compact objects

Stars from the Inside, Ch Stellar explosions: core collapse, the neutrino-driven shock, radioactive light and remnants

Problem

Photodisintegration of iron-56 into thirteen alpha particles and four neutrons absorbs

Q = 124.4\,\mathrm{MeV}

per nucleus. Estimate the total energy absorbed in photodisintegrating

0.15\,M_\odot

of iron-56, and state qualitatively why this loss of pressure support helps trigger collapse.