Why do stars explode when they die, instead of just fizzle out like every other kind of explosive/combustible reaction?

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I mean … is there any other type of explosive, combustible, or flammable reaction known to man that ends its reaction with a terrific explosion that’s more powerful than any of the other combustions prior to the end? It honestly seems like stars are the only things in the universe that end their lives that way. How come?

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Anonymous 0 Comments

It… um, implodes.

The energy of fusion out in a star is constantly fighting the energy of the gravity in. So when the star gets old and the source of fuel for fusion begins to run out, it tips the balance for the force gravity to overtake and the star collapses in on itself, causing a massive shockwave.

Also happens very fast, like an astronomically bad Friday night.

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