Factor What It Represents Possible Value N Number of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy 200–400 billion fp Probability that a star has planets 20%-50% Number of planets in a solar system capable of sustaining earth-type life ne 1? 2? fi Probability that life develops on a planet with a suitable environment 1%-100% fi Probability that life evolves intelligence 50%? fe radio communication Probability that intelligent life develops 10%-20% fi Fraction of the planet's life for which the civilization survives 1 1,000,000 Number of extraterrestrial civilizations Ne in our galaxy with which we could communicate ?
Factor What It Represents Possible Value N Number of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy 200–400 billion fp Probability that a star has planets 20%-50% Number of planets in a solar system capable of sustaining earth-type life ne 1? 2? fi Probability that life develops on a planet with a suitable environment 1%-100% fi Probability that life evolves intelligence 50%? fe radio communication Probability that intelligent life develops 10%-20% fi Fraction of the planet's life for which the civilization survives 1 1,000,000 Number of extraterrestrial civilizations Ne in our galaxy with which we could communicate ?
College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
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Question
The Drake equation In 1961 astronomer Frank Drake
developed an equation to try to estimate the number of
extraterrestrial civilizations in our galaxy that might be
able to communicate with us via radio transmissions. Now
largely accepted by the scientific community, the Drake
equation has helped spur efforts by radio astronomers to
search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Here is the equation:
largely accepted by the scientific community, the Drake
equation has helped spur efforts by radio astronomers to
search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Here is the equation:
NC = N # fp # ne # fl
# fi
# fc # fL
OK, it looks a little messy, but here’s what it means:So, how many ETs are out there? That depends; values
chosen for the many factors in the equation depend on
ever-evolving scientific knowledge and one’s personal
guesses. But now, some questions.
a) What quantity is calculated by the first product, N # fp?
b) What quantity is calculated by the product, N # fp # ne # fl
?
c) What probability is calculated by the product fl
# fi?
d) Which of the factors in the formula are conditional
probabilities? Restate each in a way that makes the
condition clear.
# fi
# fc # fL
OK, it looks a little messy, but here’s what it means:So, how many ETs are out there? That depends; values
chosen for the many factors in the equation depend on
ever-evolving scientific knowledge and one’s personal
guesses. But now, some questions.
a) What quantity is calculated by the first product, N # fp?
b) What quantity is calculated by the product, N # fp # ne # fl
?
c) What probability is calculated by the product fl
# fi?
d) Which of the factors in the formula are conditional
probabilities? Restate each in a way that makes the
condition clear.
Transcribed Image Text:Factor
What It Represents
Possible Value
N
Number of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy
200–400 billion
fp
Probability that a star has planets
20%-50%
Number of planets in a solar system capable
of sustaining earth-type life
ne
1? 2?
fi Probability that life develops on a planet
with a suitable environment
1%-100%
fi
Probability that life evolves intelligence
50%?
fe
radio communication
Probability that intelligent life develops
10%-20%
fi Fraction of the planet's life for which the
civilization survives
1
1,000,000
Number of extraterrestrial civilizations
Ne
in our galaxy with which we could
communicate
?
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