The radio galaxy Cygnus A possesses a lobe of plasma that is detected by both radio and X-ray observatories. The temperature of the X-ray-emitting plasma is 4 keV and the number density of the particles in the plasma is 4x10³ m-3. Assume that the plasma is composed solely of completely ionized hydrogen, so the number densities of protons and electrons per cubic meter are identical. the given number density of particles corresponds to the number density of hydrogen nuclei, so you can safely assume that the number density of electrons is equivalent to this number density a) Compute the time in seconds between collisions between electrons and ions in the plasma. b) Compute the ratio of the time in seconds between collisions to the age of the Universe (13.7 billion years, where 1 year = 3.15x107 s). Therefore, how many collisions has a typical elec- tron experienced with a proton in this plasma during the lifetime of the Universe? c) Compute the mean free path in meters traveled by the electron between collisions.
The radio galaxy Cygnus A possesses a lobe of plasma that is detected by both radio and X-ray observatories. The temperature of the X-ray-emitting plasma is 4 keV and the number density of the particles in the plasma is 4x10³ m-3. Assume that the plasma is composed solely of completely ionized hydrogen, so the number densities of protons and electrons per cubic meter are identical. the given number density of particles corresponds to the number density of hydrogen nuclei, so you can safely assume that the number density of electrons is equivalent to this number density a) Compute the time in seconds between collisions between electrons and ions in the plasma. b) Compute the ratio of the time in seconds between collisions to the age of the Universe (13.7 billion years, where 1 year = 3.15x107 s). Therefore, how many collisions has a typical elec- tron experienced with a proton in this plasma during the lifetime of the Universe? c) Compute the mean free path in meters traveled by the electron between collisions.
Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics
10th Edition
ISBN:9781337553292
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Chapter44: Particle Physics And Cosmology
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 48CP
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![The radio galaxy Cygnus A possesses a lobe of plasma that is detected by both radio
and X-ray observatories. The temperature of the X-ray-emitting plasma is 4 keV and the
number density of the particles in the plasma is 4x10 m-3. Assume that the plasma is
composed solely of completely ionized hydrogen, so the number densities of protons and
electrons per cubic meter are identical.
* the given number density of particles corresponds to the number density of hydrogen nuclei, so you
can safely assume that the number density of electrons is equivalent to this number density
a) Compute the time in seconds between collisions between electrons and ions in the plasma.
b) Compute the ratio of the time in seconds between collisions to the age of the Universe (13.7
billion years, where 1 year = 3.15x107 s). Therefore, how many collisions has a typical elec-
tron experienced with a proton in this plasma during the lifetime of the Universe?
c) Compute the mean free path in meters traveled by the electron between collisions.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2F3f1c45cd-3789-4350-80b0-241735c3cbf9%2F509c7401-48ff-4804-9f8e-1bb3a62b9053%2Fzwq0jen_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
Transcribed Image Text:The radio galaxy Cygnus A possesses a lobe of plasma that is detected by both radio
and X-ray observatories. The temperature of the X-ray-emitting plasma is 4 keV and the
number density of the particles in the plasma is 4x10 m-3. Assume that the plasma is
composed solely of completely ionized hydrogen, so the number densities of protons and
electrons per cubic meter are identical.
* the given number density of particles corresponds to the number density of hydrogen nuclei, so you
can safely assume that the number density of electrons is equivalent to this number density
a) Compute the time in seconds between collisions between electrons and ions in the plasma.
b) Compute the ratio of the time in seconds between collisions to the age of the Universe (13.7
billion years, where 1 year = 3.15x107 s). Therefore, how many collisions has a typical elec-
tron experienced with a proton in this plasma during the lifetime of the Universe?
c) Compute the mean free path in meters traveled by the electron between collisions.
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