Chapter 20: Problem 27

What are the differences among Type Ia, Type Ib, Type Ic, and Type II supernovae? Which type is most unlike the other three, and why?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Type Ia supernovae occur in binary star systems and show silicon but lack hydrogen and helium in their spectra, making them unique compared to Types Ib, Ic, and II. Types Ib and Ic come from massive stars without hydrogen envelopes, showing helium for Type Ib and lacking it for Type Ic. Type II supernovae come from massive stars with hydrogen envelopes and show hydrogen lines in their spectra.

Step by step solution

Define Type Ia

This type of supernova results from a white dwarf in a binary star system where the white dwarf is accreting mass from a companion star. At a certain point, the white dwarf becomes unstable and explodes. In their spectra, Type Ia supernovae lack hydrogen and show a strong presence of silicon.

Define Type Ib and Ic

Type Ib and Ic supernovae result from massive stars that have lost their outer hydrogen envelopes. The difference comes in their spectra as Type Ib supernovae have helium in their spectra while Type Ic do not. Neither show silicon in their spectra.

Define Type II

Type II supernovae result from the explosive death of massive stars that have not lost their hydrogen envelopes. Thus, their spectra show a strong hydrogen line. There might be also presence of silicon lines.

Identify the unique type

Type Ia supernovae are the most unique because they result from white dwarfs in binary star systems, unlike the other types, which result from single, massive stars. In addition, Type Ia supernovae show silicon but no hydrogen or helium, unlike the other types.

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What are the differences among Type Ia, Type Ib, Type Ic, and Type II supernovae? Which type is most unlike the other three, and why?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Define Type Ia

Define Type Ib and Ic

Define Type II

Identify the unique type

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