Suppose a White Dwarf Is Gaining Mass Because of Accretion

question 63

Multiple Choice

Suppose a white dwarf is gaining mass because of accretion from a binary companion. What happens if its mass reaches the 1.4 solar mass limit?

• A)The white dwarf immediately collapses into a black hole, disappearing from view.
• B)The white dwarf undergoes a collapse and expels the excess mass in a nova eruption.
• C)A white dwarf can never gain enough mass to reach the limit because a strong stellar wind prevents the accreting material from reaching it in the first place.
• D)The white dwarf (which is made mostly of carbon)suddenly detonates carbon fusion and this creates a white dwarf supernova explosion.

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Definitions:

CEQ

Council on Environmental Quality, a federal agency that advises the United States president on environmental policy and issues.

Chlorofluorocarbons

Chemical compounds that were widely used as refrigerants and aerosol propellants until they were found to deplete the ozone layer.

Ozone Layer

A layer in the Earth's stratosphere containing a high concentration of ozone, which absorbs most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation, protecting life on Earth.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change.