Logarythmic
- 277
- 0
Homework Statement
Assume that the mass-to-light ratio, M/L, for the galaxy is, and has always been, 10 in solar units. What is the maximum fraction of the total mass that could have been burnt into helium from hydrogen over 10^{10} years? (The mass deficit for the reaction 4H \rightarrow ^4He is 0.7%)
2. The attempt at a solution
"10 in solar units" should mean
\frac{M}{L} = 10 \frac{M_{\odot}}{L_{\odot}}
but then what? This is a basic nuclear physics problem, isn't it?
Last edited: