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By accretion of hydrogen from a nearby star which ignites and starts nuclear fusion in a runaway manner. The explosion is only on the surface of the white dwarf - this is a nova [See related question]

If however, it accretes enough hydrogen to push it's mass over the Chandrasekhar limit [See related link] of about 1.38 solar masses, the whole white dwarf will explode as a supernova type Ia [See related link]

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A white dwarf can suddenly explode in a supernova if it accretes enough material from a companion star to surpass the Chandrasekhar limit (about 1.4 solar masses), causing a runaway nuclear fusion reaction. This releases an immense amount of energy, completely disrupting the star.

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9mo ago
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Q: What is the only way that a white dwarf can suddenly explode?
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