What catastrophic explosion results if a white dwarf exceeds the 1.4 M☉ limit?
Answer
A Type Ia supernova
If a white dwarf exists within a binary star system, it can accrete material—mass—from its companion star over vast stretches of time. Should this accretion process cause the white dwarf's mass to surpass the Chandrasekhar limit of 1.4 M☉, the electron degeneracy pressure can no longer provide adequate resistance against the increased gravitational stress. This leads to a rapid core collapse, triggering an uncontrolled thermonuclear runaway reaction involving the accumulated carbon and oxygen. This sudden, immense energy release results in a spectacular and complete obliteration of the star, which is classified as a Type Ia supernova.
#Videos
How Do White Dwarfs Form From Stars? - Physics Frontier - YouTube
Related Questions
What defines a star's time on the main sequence phase?What process immediately follows hydrogen depletion in the inert helium core?What structural change transforms a star like the Sun due to intense shell burning?What primary elements are fused when the helium core ignition occurs?What is the sudden, violent ignition of helium fusion called in lower-mass stars?What beautiful structure forms from the expelled outer layers of a low-mass star?What quantum mechanical phenomenon supports a white dwarf against gravity?What is the critical mass limit for maintaining white dwarf stability?What catastrophic explosion results if a white dwarf exceeds the 1.4 M☉ limit?What is the cold, dark ultimate end state for a white dwarf lacking internal fusion?