What would happen if mass is added to a 1.4 solar mass white dwarf?
A)The star would explode as a nova.
B)The star's radius would increase.
C)The star would immediately collapse into a black hole.
D)The star would erupt as a carbon detonation (type I)supernova.
E)The core would collapse as a type II supernova.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If mass is added to a 1.4 solar mass white dwarf, it will exceed the Chandrasekhar limit of 1.4 solar masses, causing it to erupt as a carbon detonation (type I) supernova. This is because the added mass will increase the temperature and pressure in the core of the white dwarf, triggering explosive carbon fusion reactions. If a 1.4 solar mass white dwarf gains mass from a companion star, it can reach a critical mass, known as the Chandrasekhar limit, at which point the carbon in the white dwarf's core undergoes a runaway fusion reaction, causing a type I supernova. This is different from a type II supernova, which occurs when a massive star exhausts its fuel and undergoes core collapse.

What Would Happen If Mass Is Added to a 1