A nova is the result of which explosive situation?
A) mass transfer onto a white dwarf
B) helium burning in a degenerate stellar core
C) a white dwarf which exceeds the Chandrasekhar limit
D) the collision of members of a binary system
E) runaway nuclear reactions in the core

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A nova occurs when a white dwarf in a binary system accretes matter from its companion star. This matter forms a layer on the surface of the white dwarf, and when it becomes dense enough, nuclear fusion is triggered, leading to a sudden and dramatic increase in brightness known as a nova.

A Nova Is the Result of Which Explosive Situation