Novae and Type Ia supernovae can occur in binary star systems because ________ can mean large differences in their ________.
A) large differences in the stars' temperatures; sizes
B) small differences in the stars' masses; main-sequence lifetimes
C) small differences in the stars' sizes; main-sequence lifetimes
D) small differences in the stars' separation; main-sequence lifetimes
E) large differences in the stars' masses; separation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Small differences in the stars' masses can lead to significant differences in their main-sequence lifetimes, allowing one star to evolve into a white dwarf while the other is still in a different evolutionary stage, facilitating mass transfer and events like novae and Type Ia supernovae.

Novae and Type Ia Supernovae Can Occur in Binary Star