AST 221 Problem Set 4: Due Oct.

4th
You are allowed/encouraged to work together with other students, but the write-up must be
INDEPENDENT. Assigned readings are posted online.

1. Nuclear Burning and Di!usion The current Sun is said to be on the main-sequence of its
life. It shines by fusing hydrogen into helium. Mean density in the solar centre is ω → 150g/cm3 ,
and mean temperature is T → 1.5 ↑ 107 K (from last problem set).
1) During the main-sequence, the Sun converts about 10% of its hydrogen into helium. Estimate
its main-sequence life-time, assuming that the Sun maintains its current luminosity.
2) But why can’t the Sun burn its entire mass? In particular, after hydrogen is exhausted in the solar
centre (extending a few percent of the solar radius), can hydrogen from other parts di!use inward to
sustain the nuclear fusion? To answer this question, estimate the mean di!usion time of a hydrogen
nucleus (a proton) across the core. You will need the collisional cross-section (mostly between two
hydrogen nuclei, both positively charged) for this. A ’collision’ occurs when the two particles are
so close, their mutual Coulumb force significantly bend their other-wise straight trajectories (i.e.,
when the Coulumb potential becomes comparable to the kinetic energy).
3) As the Solar core is converted from 100% hydrogen to 100% helium, what happens to the central
pressure? assume both hydrogen and helium are fully ionized, and that temperature and density
remain unchanged. How does the Sun react to this pressure change? Use Virial theorem to show
that the Sun’s reaction leads to an increase in its central temperature.
 1) % Sun is Hydrogen 1 507664 6952m2
We know that of the
1 .
74 = .

mfp
my = 0 .

74x Mo
d is the diameter
of the solar RO
0 2 x
0 1x cose
MHe My
=
= .
.

=
0 1x 0 .
.

74 X
Mo = 0 2 x 6
.
. 96x105x103

=
0 1 x 0 . .
74x1 .
989x1030 =
1 .
392x108 m

=
1 . 47186 x 1029 kg t =

)N
Now
energy
that we get from 1 . 47186x1029 by He can be

calculated using E = mc2 .

We know that only 0 7
. % =
75183 .
85049
O

of It can be converted into He . Sun cannot entirely burn its core because the diffession time for I on the outside to get into
E =
0 .
007Xmc the core is huge
O
=
0 007x1 . .
41786 x 1029 x (3x108)" TechnicallyH could diffuse inward but the rate would be extremely slow to
sustain Jussion

=
9 .
272718x10435

The luminosity of the run

, Lo =
3 .

846 x10 w 1 .

3) According to virial theorem,

= 3 . 846x1025/s E =
k+ U

time K
IKBT
=

-
nuclear

to
lifetime scale In mrz
EKT
= =
,

- We also know that

He
,
the number
P =

of
nKBT

particles
·

Keeping
(n) decreases .
these in mind ,

As n decreases
let's dissect this question

,
pressure (P)
. As

decreases as
I

they
fuses to form

are directly
=
2 . 411003/2x10"s proportional .
As P decreases , temperature (t) decreases as .
well But the assumption that temperature

billion and constant doesn't allow the equilibrium to But virial theorem,
①
= 7 6 .

years density are

for shift
. according
Bo it will take about 7 6 billion
years
to Juse 10 % of Sun's k + U E 0 as pressure decreases (U) kinetic will increase (T).
energy
= =
.

, ,

H >
-

He

In decreases the increases to restore

summary ,
as
Pentral ,
Tuntal equilibrium to prevent the Sun

12) +=
( from imploding
.

Imp =

n =
# o particles

6 = SA
of one particle

Pennity

FDmamaa
is the with a entin a a

=
9 .
036144578x1025 particles

6 = Ar

=
(ro)
=
(0 .
833x10572
= 2 .
179916585x1032m2

Imp =

614457802 x2 .
179916585x10
2. Human Metabolism This question is adapted from CO question 3.8 and concerns the energy
need of a human body. An average person has 1.5m2 of skin and maintains a temperature of
37o = 310K. The basal metabolic rate (BMR) of an average person is → 1500 Kcal/day (or,
→ 6 Mars bars). This is the basic amount of energy one requires to maintain bodily functions
measured at room temperature (18o C, or 291K) and at rest. According to WIKI, “90% consumed in
maintaining fluid levels in tissues through osmoregulartion, 10% consumed for digestion, heartbeat
and breathing”. Regardless of its biological use, we can calculate this energy need using basic
physics.
1) Calculate the energy radiated per day by a person in the form of blackbody radiation. Express
your answer in Kcal. How does this compare against your BMR?
2) We live here on Earth where the surrounding is warm. Calculate our energy gain from absorbing
the blackbody radiation in our surrounding (say, the wall at T = 291K). How much energy do you
receive per day in this way? Express your answer again in Kcal. Now can you explain the above
cited BMR value?
3) Now consider an applications of your new insight. What is the BMR of an elephant (a mammal
that is roughly a cube of 3 m length) and a mouse (a cube of 10cm)? Express your answers in
Kcal/day. How does the BMR scale with the mass of the animal (M ) – expressing BMR ↑ M ω ,
what is the exponent ω ? Now look up the famous ’mouse-to-elephant curve’ – can you (roughly)
explain it?
4) Bonus question. Human radiates at infrared and hence the use of infrared goggle for night
vision. Can such an infrared goggle pick out a human body, in broad day-light? (hint: compare
emission from a human body against that of a similarly sized cut-out which reflects solar infrared
light)
2 .

1] L =
AGT4 2 .

3] Sagacule = 6e2 ; density mammals =

1000 kg/m3
A = 1 .
5 m2
SAE =
6(3)2 SAm = 6(0 1) .

ME = Valx D

-M
,

m2
T = 310K = 54m2 = 0 .
06 000 -
kym)
6 = 5 .
67x1085/s . m2 .
14 =
27000
kg
15/s = 360 .
42065 cal/h Ldaye = 54x(510)" x 5 67 x 10
.
- 8
x 860 .
42065x103x24
Batt =
583909 6607 .
Real

Labsorbed = 54x(2917* x 5 67 x10 * 860 42065x103x24

m
. .

=
1 5 .
x (3107* x 5 .
67x108 x 860 . 42065x103 =
453388 856 . Real
4 ↑ m I
y
Rat
,
.

BMRE =

Ldaye
-

Labsorbed E

L: 375 8213665
Rat 130520 8047
=
. .

energy required to function for I hour ①

=
130521 Real

For I
day ,
the
energy rey, would be 24x1 as there are 24hrs in a
day m
-keal * ~
62x158x860 42065x10-3x24
day
675

8213665x244 LdayM 0 06 x (310) x 5

Mm 0 001 X 1000
= =
= . . . .
.

16219 71 Real Regis

648 7885119
Ikg
= = =
.
.

= 16220 keal Labsorbed m = 0 06 x

. (291)" x 5 67 x 10 - 8 . x 860 . 42065x103x24
①

A radiates heal Real

human
body 16220
energy per day provided that = 503 7653955 .

the bound/isolated system there other BMRm

body is a is. , no
Ldaym-Labsorbed
=
are
in

that will
energy radiating sources
affect the
energy
=
145 023 .

@
produced by body 145 Real
the human .
=

Mopectionality
The BMR of the human body is 1500
keal/day .
The
energy

radiated by the human body is almost 11 times the centa

I which will be ignored for the sake of this

amount of energy it would take for the body to
perform problem
145

basic functions
900 .
14482758620 =
(27000
ASTY log 27000
.
2
2) Labsorbed log 900 14482758620 2
: =
.

A = 1 5 .
m2 a 109900
=

14482758620 .

log 27000
6 = 5 .
67x1085/s .
mi .
-4

②
T =
291K 2 =
0 66.

15 = 860 .
42065 cal/h
③
Larger mammals have a lower metabolism when compared to smaller mammals .
m
Labsorbed = 1 5 x
.
5 .
67 x108 x 860 42065 x
.
103x129174 In other words the ratio
of mass to metabolic rate in larger animals is
↑
↑ my k
Real smaller than the ratio of mass to metabolic rate in smaller animals .

For I day , Labsorbed =24X Labsorbed This was

proposed by Mass Kleiber who arrived at the following eg'n

:
45 .
67x158x860 .

42065xxaIYxy ( a =
.

Ms the
organism
metabolic
proportionality
=
148819 58 .
constant

= 148820 keal 2 .

4) emit
Humans radiation according to
Stefan-Boltzmann . But
law so does a reflective
cut-out. The cut-out would
emit even more radiation as it reflects sunlight .
*

Energy gain by absorbing black body radiation is 148820 keal To answer the initial question , infrared goggles will not be as efficient in

The BMR value would be the amount of

energy required on
top detecting human bodies at broad daylight .

what is absorbed the body from the environmentie

of by .

I
Labsorbed T BMR =

day