Can a White Dwarf Explode

question 18

Multiple Choice

Can a white dwarf explode?

• A) Only if another star collides with it;stars are so far apart in space that this is unlikely ever to have happened in our Galaxy.
• B) Yes,but only if nuclear reactions in the white dwarf core reach the stage of silicon burning,producing iron.
• C) No,white dwarfs are held up by electron degeneracy pressure,and this configuration is stable against collapse or explosion.
• D) Yes,but only if it is in a binary star system.

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Definitions:

Antacids

Medications that neutralize stomach acid to relieve heartburn, indigestion, and stomach discomfort.

Acidotic

A condition characterized by an excess of acid in the body fluids or an excessive loss of bicarbonate, often reflected in decreased blood pH.

Blood pH

A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the blood, vital for maintaining homeostasis, with a normal range typically between 7.35 and 7.45.

Lactose

A disaccharide sugar composed of glucose and galactose, found primarily in milk and dairy products.