Sir: "Basically, you just need to calculate the thermal timescale (relaxation time of
the particles) and fraction of the MB distribution with speeds greater than the
escape speed. Since heavier particles will thermalize to lower average speeds,
it will be easier for atmospheres to retain...
Thank you for your reply. I was hoping for a connection to some underlying principle. For example, if you add the right number of neutrons then stability ensues. The wrong number and you get instability.
What is the right and wrong #s criterion.
Perhaps it could be approached through the...
To all: By memory I have seen in the literature the factor 1/6 when analytically discussing the retention of a planetary atmosphere (more correctly a particular specie of molecule in the atmosphere).
The relation would go something like this:
Atmospheric mean thermal speed of molecule <...
To all: In some detail what makes the tritium isotope of hydrogen radiogenic?
And since C12 and C13 are both stable what makes C14 unstable?
Thanks
Rieman Zeta
powered gravity assist
sir: A spacecraft with rocket capability approaches the sun from infinity in a parabollic orbit. It has a twin folowing. The first fires its rockets tangent to its trajectory and opposite the direction of motion at 3 times the radius of the Sun. Later, the second waits...