A typical white dwarf is ________.
A) as massive as the Sun but only about as large in size as Earth
B) as large in diameter as the Sun but only about as massive as Earth
C) about the same size and mass as the Sun but much hotter
D) as massive as the Sun but only about as large in size as Jupiter

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A white dwarf is a dense, compact object that is typically as massive as the Sun but only about as large in size as Earth. This high density is due to the fact that the star has exhausted its nuclear fuel and has collapsed under its own gravity. As a result, the electrons in the star become packed tightly together, creating a state of matter known as degenerate electron gas. This makes white dwarfs extremely dense, with a typical mass of about 0.6 solar masses packed into a size similar to that of Earth.

A Typical White Dwarf Is ________