You observe a 0.8 M _$\odot$ white dwarf in a binary orbit around a main-sequence star of mass 1.4 M _$\odot$ . Which of the following is most likely the original mass of the star that became the white dwarf? A) 0.5 M _$\odot$ B) 1 M _$\odot$ C) 0.8 M _$\odot$ D) 1.4 M _$\odot$ E) 3 M _$\odot$

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

White dwarfs typically form from stars with initial masses between about 0.8 and 8 solar masses. A white dwarf with a mass of 0.8 solar masses likely originated from a star with a mass significantly higher than its current mass, due to mass loss during the red giant phase. A star with an initial mass of around 3 solar masses is a plausible progenitor for a 0.8 solar mass white dwarf.

You Observe a 0 ⊙\odot⊙ White Dwarf in a Binary Orbit Around a Main-Sequence

You Observe a 0 $\odot$ White Dwarf in a Binary Orbit Around a Main-Sequence