A Nova Is the Result of Which Explosive Situation

question 63

Multiple Choice

A nova is the result of which explosive situation?

• A) Mass transfer onto a white dwarf
• B) Helium burning in a degenerate stellar core
• C) A white dwarf which exceeds the Chandrasekhar limit
• D) The collision of members of a binary system

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Definitions:

Endergonic

A chemical reaction in which the standard change in free energy is positive, and energy is absorbed from the surroundings.

Exergonic

Describes a reaction that ends with a net release of free energy.

Oxidized

A chemical process where a molecule, atom, or ion loses electrons, often leading to its reaction with oxygen.

Reduced

Often refers to the gain of electrons or decrease in oxidation state by a molecule, atom, or ion.