How does the fate of the white dwarf differ between a nova and a Type Ia supernova?
Answer
The white dwarf survives the nova explosion, but is completely destroyed during a Type Ia supernova.
A nova only expels the surface layer, leaving the white dwarf intact to repeat the process, whereas a Type Ia supernova occurs when accretion pushes the white dwarf past the Chandrasekhar Limit, leading to its complete thermonuclear detonation.
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