If a white dwarf could accrete matter from a binary companion at a rate of ,how long would it take before it exploded as a Type I supernova?

Question

If a  white dwarf could accrete matter from a binary companion at a rate of  ,how long would it take before it exploded as a Type I supernova?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The time it takes for a white dwarf to explode as a Type I supernova is dependent on the rate at which it accretes matter from a companion star. In this scenario, the accretion rate is relatively low, so it would take a longer time before the white dwarf accumulates enough mass to cause a supernova. Using the calculations for white dwarf evolution, it is estimated that a white dwarf with this accretion rate would take around 600 million years to reach the Chandrasekhar limit and explode as a Type I supernova. Therefore, the best choice is D.

If a White Dwarf Could Accrete Matter from a Binary