Astronomy 10 Quiz 10, Spring Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
Astronomy 10 learning goal Q10.3
[3.0 points.] Which one of the following choices best explains why an isolated white dwarf cannot explode as a type Ia supernova?
(A) There is no companion star to heat up.
(B) There is no external source of hydrogen.
(C) There is no companion star to distort spacetime.
(D) It expended all of its extra energy during the planetary nebula phase.
(E) There is not enough degeneracy pressure.
Correct answer: (B)
If there is no companion star to transfer hydrogen to a white dwarf, then the white dwarf star cannot collect and compact this material onto its surface, making it undergo fusion to undergo a type Ia supernova (or a mere nova) explosion.
Student responses
Section 5166
(A) : 8 students
(B) : 17 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 6 students
(E) : 7 students
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Astronomy in-class activity: compact objects with companion stars.
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