Question

*1. A diffuse cloud of neutral hydrogen atoms in space has a temperature of 50 K and number density $500cm^{-3}$. Estimate (a) $v_{rms}$ for the hydrogen atoms; (b) the mean scattering time (in years) between hydrogen atoms in the cloud; (c) the mean free path (in Astronomical Units, 1AU=$1.50 \cdot 10^8$km), and (d) the total thermal energy in a 1AU$^3$ region of the cloud.

          *1. A diffuse cloud of neutral hydrogen atoms in space has a temperature of 50 K and number density $500cm^{-3}$. Estimate
(a) $v_{rms}$ for the hydrogen atoms;
(b) the mean scattering time (in years) between hydrogen atoms in the cloud;
(c) the mean free path (in Astronomical Units, 1AU=$1.50 \cdot 10^8$km), and
(d) the total thermal energy in a 1AU$^3$ region of the cloud.

*1. A diffuse cloud of neutral hydrogen atoms in space has a temperature of 50 K and number density 500cm^-3. Estimate
(a) vrms for the hydrogen atoms;
(b) the mean scattering time (in years) between hydrogen atoms in the cloud;
(c) the mean free path (in Astronomical Units, 1AU=1.50 · 10^8km), and
(d) the total thermal energy in a 1AU^3 region of the cloud.

Added by Soledad B.

University Physics with Modern Physics

Hugh D. Young 14th Edition

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Kratika Bhadauria

09/08/2023

Step 1

The root mean square velocity (Urms) can be calculated using the formula: Urms = sqrt(3kT/m) where k is the Boltzmann constant (1.38 x 10^-23 J/K), T is the temperature in Kelvin, and m is the mass of a hydrogen atom (1.67 x 10^-27 kg). Plugging in the values, Show more…

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1. A diffuse cloud of neutral hydrogen atoms in space has a temperature of 50 K and number density 500 cm^-3. Estimate: (a) Urms for the hydrogen atoms. (b) The mean scattering time (in years) between hydrogen atoms in the cloud. (c) The mean free path in Astronomical Units (1 AU = 1.5 x 10^10 km). (d) The total thermal energy in a 1 AU^3 region of the cloud.