How Does Temperature Affect Particle Density and Expansion in the Universe?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the relationship between temperature and particle density in the universe, specifically addressing the equations governing particle number density (n) based on mass (m) and temperature (T). For temperatures greater than mass (T > m), the number density is proportional to T^3, while for temperatures less than mass (m > T), it follows the equation n ∝ T^(3/2) exp[-(m-μ)/T]. The scale factor (a) is crucial in these derivations, as it relates to the expansion of the universe and the assumption of particle production and destruction during different temperature regimes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamic principles in cosmology
  • Familiarity with the concept of the scale factor (a) in the universe
  • Knowledge of particle physics, specifically mass-energy relationships
  • Basic grasp of exponential functions and their applications in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the implications of the Friedmann equations in cosmology
  • Study the concept of pair production and its effects on particle density
  • Investigate the role of the scale factor in the early universe's expansion
  • Learn about the Boltzmann distribution and its application to particle physics
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, cosmologists, and students studying the early universe, particularly those interested in the interplay between temperature, particle density, and cosmic expansion.

Arman777
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For ##m>T## we can write
$$n\propto T^{3/2}\exp[{-(m-\mu)/T}].\tag{2}$$

For ##T>m## we can write ##n\propto T^{3}## where ##n## is number density of particles with mass m. We can derive this relationship by using ##n\propto a^{-3}## and we also know that ##a\propto T^{-1}##.

Is there a similar derivation for the first equation by using ##n\propto a^{-3}##
 
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Can you elaborate?
 
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I edited my post
 
I'm guessing the question is about particle densities in the early universe? Then a is the scale factor.
Arman777 said:
For ##T>m## we can write ##n\propto T^{-3}## where ##n## is number density of particles with mass m. We can derive this relationship by using ##n\propto a^{-3}## and we also know that ##a\propto T^{-1}##.
Shouldn't this be ##n\propto T^{3}##? ##n\propto a^{-3}## assumes no particles can be produced or destroyed. Is that really an assumption you want to make - and if you do so, why don't you make it for m>T?
 
mfb said:
I'm guessing the question is about particle densities in the early universe? Then a is the scale factor.Shouldn't this be ##n\propto T^{3}##? ##n\propto a^{-3}## assumes no particles can be produced or destroyed. Is that really an assumption you want to make - and if you do so, why don't you make it for m>T?
If ##n\propto a^{-3}## assumes no pair production then we cannot say that at ##m>T##, since at that time there are pair-production, So we cannot derive it by using ##n\propto a^{-3}##.
 

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