A white dwarf whose red giant companion dumps hydrogen onto it may

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a white dwarf accretes hydrogen from its red giant companion, it can reach a critical mass and undergo a runaway nuclear fusion reaction, causing explosive energy release in the form of a nova. However, if the white dwarf grows too massive and collapses under its own gravity, it can trigger a type I supernova. Therefore, the white dwarf can either explode recurrently as a nova (B) or blow up as a type I supernova (C), depending on the amount of hydrogen accreted and the size of the white dwarf.

A White Dwarf Whose Red Giant Companion Dumps Hydrogen onto It