What happens to the core of a large mass star when it dies?

When a large mass star reaches the end of its life cycle, its core undergoes significant changes due to the gravitational forces at play. As the nuclear fusion processes that power the star begin to fail, the core collapses under its own immense gravity. This collapse can result in the formation of a neutron star or, if the mass is sufficient, a black hole.

In massive stars, once the core's nuclear fuel is exhausted, it can no longer support itself against gravitational collapse. The outer layers may be expelled in a supernova explosion, but the core’s fate is primarily dictated by its mass. If the remaining core has a mass greater than about 2 to 3 solar masses, it compresses to the point where neutrons are formed and a neutron star is created. If the core is even more massive, the collapse continues until it becomes a black hole, where the gravitational pull is so strong that not even light can escape it.

The other options do not reflect the actual physical processes involved in the final stages of a massive star's life. For instance, the idea of the core becoming inert does not accurately represent the active gravitational dynamics and the transformations occurring during and after the star’s death. Similarly, the core does not expand to