Type II Supernovae Show Prominent Lines of Hydrogen in Their

Multiple Choice

Type II supernovae show prominent lines of hydrogen in their spectra, whereas hydrogen lines are absent in spectra of Type Ia supernovae. Explain. (Hint: Think about the type of star that gives rise to each of the two types of supernova.)

A) Massive stars contain large amounts of hydrogen, whereas white dwarfs are mostly carbon and oxygen.
B) White dwarfs have a thick surface layer of hydrogen, whereas neutron stars contain no hydrogen at all.
C) Massive stars have fused all their hydrogen into heavier elements, whereas low-mass stars still have large hydrogen-rich envelopes.
D) Massive stars contain large amounts of hydrogen, whereas neutron stars contain no hydrogen at all.