Universe
Universe
11th Edition
ISBN: 9781319039448
Author: Robert Geller, Roger Freedman, William J. Kaufmann
Publisher: W. H. Freeman
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Chapter 26, Problem 46Q

(a)

To determine

The mass of neutrinos in the unit of kilograms and also as a fraction of the mass of the electron, if the Hubble constant is about 73km/s/Mpc, critical density ρc is 1×1026kg/m3 and its average density is about 0.20ρc. The average density of a neutrino in space is about 100neutrino/cm3.

(a)

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 46Q

Solution:

2×1035kg, 2.1×105

Explanation of Solution

Given data:

The Hubble constant has a value of 73km/s/Mpc.

The critical density has a value of 1×1026kg/m3.

The average density of dark matter is 0.20ρc.

The average density of neutrino throughout the space is 100neutrino/cm3.

Formula used:

The relation between the Hubble law and critical density is presented below.

ρc= 3H028πG

In the equation, G is the universal constant whose value is 6.67×1011Nm2/kg, H0 is the Hubble constant and ρc is the critical density.

Explanation:

Convert the value of H0 into seconds.

H0=73km/s/Mpc=73  kmsMpc(1 Mpc3.08×1019 km)=2.37×1018s1

Recall, the expression for critical density.

ρc= 3H028πG

Substitute 2.37×1018 s1 for H0 and 6.67×1011 Nm2/kg for G.

ρc=3(2.37×1018 s1)28π(6.67×1011 Nm2/kg)=1×1026 kg/m3

Average density of dark matter is 0.20ρc.

ρdm=0.20ρc

In the relation above, ρdm is the average density of dark matter.

Substitute 1×1026 kg/m3 for ρc.

ρdm=0.20(1×1026 kg/m3)=2×1027 kg/m3

The average density of neutrino throughout the space is 100neutrino/cm3. So, the number of the neutrino in a cubic meter of space is obtained as follows.

n=100 cm3(106cm31 m3)=108 m3

Therefore, the mass of the neutrino is obtained from the following calculation.

m=ρdmn

Substitute 2×1027kg/m3 for ρdm and 108 m3 for n.

m=2×1027kg/m3108 m3=2×1035 kg

The mass in terms of mass of electron (me) which has a value of 9.1×1031 kg. Thus, the above value calculated in terms of electron mass as presented below.

m=2×1035 kg(1 me9.1×1031 kg)=2.2×105 me

Conclusion:

The mass of the neutrino in kilograms is 2×1035 kg and as a fraction of mass of electron is 2.2×105.

(b)

To determine

The reason due to which astronomers do not consider massive neutrinos as the prominent type of dark matter.

(b)

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 46Q

Solution:

The cold matter is the dominant form of dark matter. This suggests that massive neutrinos, which are hot, are not the dominant type of dark matter in the universe.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Dark matter: Dark matter does not emit electromagnetic radiations and thus cannot be detected directly. It constitutes 80% of the universe. It is thought to be non-baryonic in nature which means it is composed of some undiscovered subatomic particles.

Explanation:

Example of hot dark matters are Neutrinos because they comprise of lightweight particles which travel at high speed. Cold matter, on the other hand, comprises of massive particles at low speed.

Massless neutrinos, like photons, always travel at the speed of light. However, neutrinos possess a small mass and the gravitational pull on surrounding matter. This graviational pull could lead to the formation of galaxies.

In cold matter, the formation of the galaxy takes place from bottom to up means the intersection between filaments occurs. These filaments merge together into galaxies. These galaxies are converted into clusters of galaxies, after which they become superclusters.

On the other hand, hot matter galaxies follow a top to bottom sequence of formation. Observation from the remote galaxies suggests that the formation of matter occurs by “bottom-up” scenario. Thus, hot matter such as massive neutrino is not responsible for formation of galaxies and hence is not the dominant form of dark matter.

Conclusion:

From this observation, it is concluded that the prominent form of dark matter is cold. This suggests that massive neutrinos (which are hot) do not constitute prominent type of dark matter present in the universe.

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