If a white dwarf gains sufficient mass, it can become a:
A)brown dwarf.
B)Type II supernova.
C)Type I supernova.
D)planetary nebula.
E)black dwarf.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If a white dwarf gains sufficient mass, it can explode as a Type Ia supernova. This occurs when it accretes matter from a companion star or merges with another white dwarf, increasing its mass to the Chandrasekhar limit of 1.4 solar masses. This triggers a cataclysmic explosion that destroys the white dwarf and releases huge amounts of energy and light. If a white dwarf gains sufficient mass (above the Chandrasekhar limit of 1.4 times the mass of the sun), it will undergo a Type Ia supernova explosion. This occurs when the white dwarf accretes enough mass from a companion star or merges with another white dwarf, causing a runaway nuclear fusion reaction and a catastrophic explosion.

If a White Dwarf Gains Sufficient Mass, It Can Become