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| physical phenomena > process > physical process > motion > mass motion > contraction > collapse > gravitational collapse > supernova explosion |
| supernova explosion comparison table | ||
| Subject | is a kind of | has definition |
|---|---|---|
| gravitational collapse | collapse | The sudden collapse of a massive star when the radiation pressure outward is no longer sufficient to balance the gravitational pressure inward. In gravitational collapse there is a sudden, catastrophic release of great quantities of gravitational potential energy, and this release has been postulated as the cause of supernovae, neutron stars, and black holes. |
| supernova explosion | gravitational collapse |