Calculating Jean's length for neutral hydrogen cloud

In summary, we are trying to find the Jean's length in parsecs for a neutral hydrogen cloud with a density of n(H I) ~10^8 atoms/(m^3) and a temperature of 100K. The Jean's length formula is sqrt[(15*K*T)/(4pi*G*u*p)], where 'K' is the Boltzmann constant, 'T' is the temperature, 'G' is the gravitational constant, 'u' is the mass per particle, and 'p' is the density of the cloud. However, the units in the formula should be checked and corrected, with 'u' in kg and 'p' in kg/m^3, to get a reasonable answer in parsecs.
  • #1
jmaggio14
1
0

Homework Statement


What is the Jean's length in parsecs for a typical neutral hydrogen cloud, which has a density of n(H I) ~10^8 atoms/(m^3) and a temperature of 100K?

Homework Equations


jean's length = sqrt[(15*K*T)/(4pi*G*u*p)]

where:
'K' is the Boltzmann constant
'T' is the temperature of the cloud
'G' is gravitational constant
'u' is Mu or the mass per particle
'p' is Rho or the density of the cloud

I'm assuming 'u' is the mass of a hydrogen atom in kilograms or 1.67*10^(-27)kg?


The Attempt at a Solution


jean's length = 12160m?
That seems far too small for any plausible answer in astronomy, these are usually measured in parsecs
 
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  • #2
Looks like your units may be wrong. The density you give is atoms/m^3. Scanning the units in the above formula, I think Mu (your u) should be in kg, and the density in the Jeans formula should be kg/m^3. That might give you the additional powers of 10 that you need to get a reasonable answer. Check the units of what you substitute into your formula.

It is good practice always to carry units when substituting. That way, you can check the units of the answer for consistency.
 

1. How is Jean's length calculated for a neutral hydrogen cloud?

The Jean's length for a neutral hydrogen cloud is calculated using the formula L = (π^2 * c_s^2)/(2Gρ), where L is the Jean's length, c_s is the speed of sound in the cloud, G is the gravitational constant, and ρ is the density of the cloud.

2. What is the significance of calculating Jean's length for a neutral hydrogen cloud?

Calculating Jean's length for a neutral hydrogen cloud helps us determine the minimum size a cloud must have in order to collapse under its own gravity and form stars.

3. How does the density of the cloud affect Jean's length?

The higher the density of the cloud, the smaller the Jean's length will be. This means that a cloud with a higher density is more likely to collapse and form stars.

4. Can Jean's length be calculated for any type of gas cloud?

Yes, Jean's length can be calculated for any type of gas cloud, as long as the necessary parameters such as density and speed of sound are known.

5. Is Jean's length a constant value for a specific cloud?

No, Jean's length is not a constant value for a specific cloud. It can change over time as the cloud evolves and its density, temperature, and other parameters fluctuate.

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