A nova occurs when

A. a massive star experiences collapse of its iron core and explodes.

B. binary black holes radiate energy away as gravity waves, spiral in, and collide.

C. hydrogen accreted onto a white dwarf from a close companion rapidly fuses to helium, releasing a large amount of energy.

D. a white dwarf accretes enough material from a close companion that electron degeneracy pressure can no longer support it, and it explodes.

Question

Physics

Trevor Newman

8 November, 06:31

A nova occurs when

A. a massive star experiences collapse of its iron core and explodes.

B. binary black holes radiate energy away as gravity waves, spiral in, and collide.

C. hydrogen accreted onto a white dwarf from a close companion rapidly fuses to helium, releasing a large amount of energy.

D. a white dwarf accretes enough material from a close companion that electron degeneracy pressure can no longer support it, and it explodes.

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Answers (1)

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Whitney Lewis · Answer 1

C. hydrogen accreted onto a white dwarf from a close companion rapidly fuses to helium, releasing a large amount of energy.

The accreted material, composed mainly of hydrogen, is compacted on the surface of the white dwarf due to the intense gravitational force on that place. As material accumulates, The white dwarf becomes increasingly hot, until it reaches the critical temperature for ignition of nuclear fusion.