Question

What is the upper limit to the mass of a white dwarf? there is no upper limit. there is an upper limit, but we do not yet know what it is. 1.4 solar masses 1 solar mass 2 solar masses

Answer 1

Answer:

Around $1.4$ solar mass.

Explanation:

In a white dwarf, electron degeneracy prevents the star from collapsing into itself. However, if the mass of the star exceeds the Chandrasekhar Limit, gravity would overcome electron degeneracy and star would collapse further.

The value of the Chandrasekhar Limit is approximately $1.4\; M_{\odot}$ ($1.4$ times the mass of the sun.) While this mass is the maximum possible mass of a stable white dwarf, the original mass of the star that formed this white dwarf tends to be much greater.