Suppose a White Dwarf Is Gaining Mass Because of Accretion

question 39

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 undergoes a collapse and expels the excess mass in a nova eruption.
• B) The white dwarf (which is made mostly of carbon) suddenly detonates carbon fusion and this creates a white dwarf supernova explosion.
• C) The white dwarf immediately collapses into a black hole, disappearing from view.
• D) 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.

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