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Not normally. A white dwarf is the remnant of a star in which fusion has stopped. If, however, a white dwarf has a close binary companion star it can accrete gas from that companion. If enough gas collects on the white dwarf it can ignite a complex reaction change between the hydrogen gas and the carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen of the surface. Unlike the steady fusion in a main sequence star, the fusion on a white dwarf is a runaway reaction that results in a massive explosion called a nova, which drives away the accreted gas and ends fusion. If the white dwarf is massive enough the accretion of gas can trigger carbon fusion inside the white dwarf, resulting in an even larger explosion called a type Ia supernova, which destroys the white dwarf.
What else can I help you with?
Is a white dwarf a large star capable of fusing elements?
No, a white dwarf is a small, dense star that has exhausted its supply of nuclear fuel and is no longer able to sustain nuclear fusion reactions in its core. White dwarfs are the remnants of stars that were once similar to the Sun, and they are typically about the size of Earth but much more massive. They are called "white" dwarfs because they are extremely hot and glow with a white-hot light, but they are not capable of fusing elements because they do not have the necessary conditions (temperature, density, and pressure) to sustain nuclear fusion in their cores.
Carbon and what other element make up a white dwarf?
Carbon and oxygen are the two main elements that make up a white dwarf star. These elements are the end products of nuclear fusion in the core of the star before it exhausted its nuclear fuel and collapsed to form a white dwarf.
What elements are created in a white dwarf?
In a white dwarf, the primary elements present are carbon and oxygen, which are the result of the fusion processes that occurred in the star's earlier life stages. As the white dwarf cools over time, it does not undergo further fusion reactions, so no new elements are created. However, trace amounts of heavier elements can form through processes like crystallization of the carbon-oxygen core or through the accretion of material from a companion star. Ultimately, the white dwarf remains composed mainly of these elements until it cools down completely.
How does a white dwarf compare to our sun as it exists now?
A white dwarf is the remnant core of a star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel, typically around the size of Earth but with a mass similar to that of the Sun. In contrast, our Sun is currently a main-sequence star, actively fusing hydrogen into helium in its core. While the Sun will eventually evolve into a white dwarf after exhausting its hydrogen fuel in about 5 billion years, a white dwarf is characterized by its high density and low luminosity compared to the Sun's current brightness and energy production. Essentially, a white dwarf represents the final stage of stellar evolution for stars like the Sun.
How does the surface temperature of a white dwarfs compareto a white main sequence star?
No, white dwarfs are cooler than supergiants, they also have a lower luminosity (are more faint). A different viewpoint: There's obviously a range of temperatures for these stars, but the hottest (surface temperature) known star is in fact a white dwarf. It has a surface temperature of over 200,000 degrees Celsius.
Is it true or that a white dwarf is a large star capble of fusing elements?
no
Is a white dwarf a large star capable of fusing elements?
No, a white dwarf is a small, dense star that has exhausted its supply of nuclear fuel and is no longer able to sustain nuclear fusion reactions in its core. White dwarfs are the remnants of stars that were once similar to the Sun, and they are typically about the size of Earth but much more massive. They are called "white" dwarfs because they are extremely hot and glow with a white-hot light, but they are not capable of fusing elements because they do not have the necessary conditions (temperature, density, and pressure) to sustain nuclear fusion in their cores.
Is a white dwarf considered a main sequence star?
No, a white dwarf is not considered a main sequence star. A main sequence star is a star that is still fusing hydrogen in its core. A white dwarf is the remnant of a low to medium mass star in which fusion has stopped.
Carbon and what other element make up a white dwarf?
Carbon and oxygen are the two main elements that make up a white dwarf star. These elements are the end products of nuclear fusion in the core of the star before it exhausted its nuclear fuel and collapsed to form a white dwarf.
What star is the object that continues to shine dimly for billion of years as it slowly cools?
That would be a white dwarf, which is the super dense remains of star that is no longer capable of fusing hydrogen. White Dwarfs continue to shine because they are very hot however, over time the star will lose most of its heat and become a black dwarf.
What elements are created in a white dwarf?
In a white dwarf, the primary elements present are carbon and oxygen, which are the result of the fusion processes that occurred in the star's earlier life stages. As the white dwarf cools over time, it does not undergo further fusion reactions, so no new elements are created. However, trace amounts of heavier elements can form through processes like crystallization of the carbon-oxygen core or through the accretion of material from a companion star. Ultimately, the white dwarf remains composed mainly of these elements until it cools down completely.
How is white dwarf star is formed?
A white dwarf is the last stage of a low mass stars life. After a red giant is done fusing helium to carbon and oxygen, the star will collapse to a white swarf. White dwarves are usually between 15,000-6,000 kelvins.A white dwarf is formed when a small or medium-sized star runs out of fuel in its core. The star becomes a red giant and later blow off the shell into the interstellar space. The remaining core becomes a white dwarf.
What happens when a white dwarf contracts and fusion begins?
When fusion ignites in a white dwarf there is, at first, no increase in volume to separate the fusing nuclei and the result is a runaway nuclear reaction ending in a massive explosion with two possible outcomes. For lower mass white dwarfs, the explosion will drive away the surrounding gasses, producing a nova. If, however, the addition of the gas pushes the white dwarf above 1.38 solar masses, the result will be a much more powerful explosion called a type Ia supernova, which will destroy the white dwarf.
What stars have left the main sequence?
The main sequence stars are stars that fuse hydrogen, so the stars that have left the main sequence are the ones that have basically run out of hydrogen. They are the Red Giant stars, Supergiant stars and White Dwarf stars.
How do stars burn up and die?
Stars burn by fusing hydrogen into helium in their cores through nuclear fusion. Eventually, they run out of fuel and start burning heavier elements, releasing energy and expanding into a red giant or supergiant. Depending on their mass, they can end as a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.
How does a white dwarf compare to our sun as it exists now?
A white dwarf is the remnant core of a star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel, typically around the size of Earth but with a mass similar to that of the Sun. In contrast, our Sun is currently a main-sequence star, actively fusing hydrogen into helium in its core. While the Sun will eventually evolve into a white dwarf after exhausting its hydrogen fuel in about 5 billion years, a white dwarf is characterized by its high density and low luminosity compared to the Sun's current brightness and energy production. Essentially, a white dwarf represents the final stage of stellar evolution for stars like the Sun.
How does the surface temperature of a white dwarfs compareto a white main sequence star?
No, white dwarfs are cooler than supergiants, they also have a lower luminosity (are more faint). A different viewpoint: There's obviously a range of temperatures for these stars, but the hottest (surface temperature) known star is in fact a white dwarf. It has a surface temperature of over 200,000 degrees Celsius.
