What is the ultimate fate of an isolated white dwarf?
A)It will cool down and become a cold black dwarf.
B)As gravity overwhelms the electron degeneracy pressure,it will explode as a nova.
C)As gravity overwhelms the electron degeneracy pressure,it will explode as a supernova.
D)As gravity overwhelms the electron degeneracy pressure,it will become a neutron star.
E)The electron degeneracy pressure will eventually overwhelm gravity and the white dwarf will slowly evaporate.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An isolated white dwarf will slowly cool down and eventually become a cold black dwarf. No fusion or other processes occur in a white dwarf, so it cannot explode or transform into a neutron star. The electron degeneracy pressure prevents the white dwarf from collapsing further, so it will not evaporate or become a supernova.

What Is the Ultimate Fate of an Isolated White Dwarf