What is the DM-Radiation Relation Explained on Page 190 of Dodelson's Book?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relation presented on page 190 of Dodelson's book, specifically the equation \(\rho_{DM} = \rho \frac{y}{y+1}\), where \(y = \frac{a}{a_{eq}} = \frac{\rho_{DM}}{\rho_{rad}}\). Participants are trying to understand this relation in the context of cosmological densities, particularly focusing on dark matter (DM) and radiation, and how these densities evolve over time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about the relation and its implications, particularly regarding the inclusion of ordinary matter and dark energy in the context of the equation.
  • One participant notes that the density of dark matter increases with smaller volume, questioning the omission of ordinary matter and dark energy in the example.
  • Another participant suggests that the discussion may pertain to a specific case in the early universe where dark matter and radiation dominate, neglecting other components.
  • There is a suggestion that the symbols used in the equations should be clarified, particularly what \(\rho_{rad}\) and \(\rho_{DM}\) represent at different epochs.
  • Some participants propose that the equation can be verified through substitution, indicating a mathematical approach to understanding the relation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the interpretation of the relation or the context in which it applies. There are multiple competing views regarding the relevance of ordinary matter and dark energy, and whether the example is specific to a certain epoch in the universe's evolution.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about the universe's composition, particularly the neglect of ordinary matter and dark energy. The context of the equations, such as whether they apply to the early universe or a specific cosmological model, remains unresolved.

alejandrito29
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I am read the pag 190 of Dodelson bock, where use the following relation

[tex]\rho_{DM}= \rho \frac{y}{y+1}[/tex]. where [tex]y= a/a_{eq}=\rho_{DM}/\rho_{rad}[/tex]

i tried using the tipically relation [tex]\rho = \rho_{rad} a^-4+ \rho_{DM}[/tex]

but, i don't understand,

healp please
 
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alejandrito29 said:
I am read the pag 190 of Dodelson bock, where use the following relation

[tex]\rho_{DM}= \rho \frac{y}{y+1}[/tex]. where [tex]y= a/a_{eq}=\rho_{DM}/\rho_{rad}[/tex]

i tried using the tipically relation [tex]\rho = \rho_{rad}a^{-4}+ \rho_{DM}[[[a^{-3}]]][/tex]

but, i don't understand,

healp please
[tex]\rho = \rho_{rad}a^{-4}+ \rho_{DM}a^{-3}[/tex]Doesn't DM mean dark matter? So density goes up with smaller volume.

You seem to be omitting ORDINARY matter in this example. Also you have no dark energy in the picture. Maybe this is some special case of Dodelson? A different universe with no DE and no ordinary matter? Only DM and rad? OK.

You had better say what you think the symbols stand for.

Back in the past,when a= 0.1 and distances were 1/10 what they are today,
the density of dark matter was 1000 times what it is today

ρDM(back then) = ρDM(now) a-3

and the density of rad was 10000 times what it is today
ρrad(back then) = ρrad(now) a-4

Any questions about that?
 
Last edited:
marcus said:
[tex]\rho = \rho_{rad}a^{-4}+ \rho_{DM}a^{-3}[/tex]


Doesn't DM mean dark matter? So density goes up with smaller volume.

You seem to be omitting ORDINARY matter in this example. Also you have no dark energy in the picture. Maybe this is some special case of Dodelson? A different universe with no DE and no ordinary matter? Only DM and rad? OK.

You had better say what you think the symbols stand for.

Back in the past,when a= 0.1 and distances were 1/10 what they are today,
the density of dark matter was 1000 times what it is today

ρDM(back then) = ρDM(now) a-3

and the density of rad was 10000 times what it is today
ρrad(back then) = ρrad(now) a-4

Any questions about that?

very thank, but, with this relation [tex]\rho = \rho_{rad}a^{-4}+ \rho_{DM}a^{-3}[/tex]

i still do not understant why [tex]\rho_{DM}= \rho \frac{y}{y+1}[/tex]
 
I suggested that you tell us what you think the symbols stand for. Does rho_rad stand for the radiation density at some particular time? Like the epoch of matter-radiation equality? Or the present?
Likewise rho_DM.

You have not explained why you are not including ordinary matter and dark energy. Is this example about the very early universe, when one might consider DM and radiation to dominate and neglect DE and ordinary matter small contribution? Since I don't have the Dodelson book, I don't know the particulars that would help make sense of the problem.

I assume that a_eq is the scale factor at matter-radiation equality,which is about 1/3400. That would be the conventional interpretation. Is that what you think it stands for in this case?
 
marcus said:
I suggested that you tell us what you think the symbols stand for. Does rho_rad stand for the radiation density at some particular time? Like the epoch of matter-radiation equality? Or the present?
Likewise rho_DM.

You have not explained why you are not including ordinary matter and dark energy. Is this example about the very early universe, when one might consider DM and radiation to dominate and neglect DE and ordinary matter small contribution? Since I don't have the Dodelson book, I don't know the particulars that would help make sense of the problem.

I assume that a_eq is the scale factor at matter-radiation equality,which is about 1/3400. That would be the conventional interpretation. Is that what you think it stands for in this case?

I looked at my copy of Dodelson"s modern cosmology but the revision must be different. Marcus raised the key points,

Is this a single or multi-component universe example? Ie early universe prior to matter formation etc. or a De-sitter universe? the other possibility is that he is isolating the individual influences

Dodelson may show how he derived the first equation earlier on in the book, as my revision is different I have no way of knowing.
 
alejandrito29 said:
I am read the pag 190 of Dodelson bock, where use the following relation

[tex]\rho_{DM}= \rho \frac{y}{y+1}[/tex]. where [tex]y= a/a_{eq}=\rho_{DM}/\rho_{rad}[/tex]

i tried using the tipically relation [tex]\rho = \rho_{rad} a^-4+ \rho_{DM}[/tex]

but, i don't understand,

healp please

You don't actually state what you want to understand!

That first equation is easily verified. Assuming that [itex]\rho=\rho_{\rm rad}+\rho_{\rm DM}[/itex], then just substitute y into your equation and you can see that it is satisfied. I also don't have the book at hand, so can't place this in context.
 
Having looked at the text, it's just a change of variables from t to y where y = rho_dm/rho_r. As I said above, you can verify it by direct substitution.
 

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